scottish travel videos

10 videos that will make you want to visit Scotland

Scotland is awesome, and don’t we know it. Our country’s wild and mysterious beauty is unlike anywhere on earth. To fully understand, you need to experience it for yourself. Aye, we get it though, you can’te just click your fingers and appear in the middle of the epic Scottish Highlands. But… if you let us, we can take you there. We’ve compiled a bonnie bunch of videos to bring you a wee bit closer to Scotland, and make you want to visit NOW. Brace yourself for insane levels of Scottishness.

1. Scotland

2. beautiful scotland.

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4. Scotland in 4k Drone Fly By

5. Magical Scotland

6. Beautiful Scotland

7. Beautiful Scotland in 4K

8. Scotland aerial filming

9. Majestic Scotland

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Travels with a Kilt

Scotland travel blog, back on the road in castle country, scotland’s spectacular north west and the walks of sutherland, the superb drive from glasgow to mallaig, outlaw king – discovering the filming locations, a west coast adventure through argyll.

A Scotland Travel Blog, with a Local's Touch

With my ever-expanding Scotland travel blog I provide nationwide coverage with my writing, photography and videos. There's a decade's worth of articles buried in this website with every region covered extensively. Working with some of the country’s best brands, I have carefully considered how to find the very best standards for my readers and followers. Followed by 70,000+ across the social media networks that I use, Travels with a Kilt is where I share my adventures and guidance with Scotland fans worldwide. Based in Glasgow and in the Highlands, I am regularly on the road scaling our peaks, studying our castles, marvelling at our coastlines and connecting with our traditions. You're welcome to join me.

Scotland Podcasts

Scotland travel videos.

Day Trip Ferries from Mallaig to Explore the West Coast

In Search of the Perfect Spring Day Trip

Abandoned and Derelict Places Throughout Scotland

Outer Hebrides Holidays – The Best of the Western Isles

Launching our new Video Channel!

The Spectacular North Uist Beaches

The Outlander Adventure Continues with the Season 3 Filming Locations

The William Wallace Story

A Look Back at a Year of Scotland Travel Memories

Getting Outdoors and Active in Edinburgh

Best Walks in the Outer Hebrides

Attending the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

Climbing the Mighty Buachaille Etive Mor

Highlights of Argyll – Part 1

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2022 – An End and a Beginning

The Isles are Calling

There’s Change in the Air

2021: The Year of Scotland Staycations

A Quick Hello From Scotland

An Autumnal Highland Explosion at Loch Ness

History Hunting in Southern Scotland

Outlander Filming Locations Near Edinburgh

An Update from Scotland as I Prepare to Hit the Road Once More

Coronavirus Update – The Situation in Scotland

A Scottish Movie Fix

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Ruth Aisling

rediscovering scotland

Ruth Aisling is a Scottish video creator who loves adventure, travel, hiking, vanlife, and the great outdoors.

Her content takes her audience to unique and lesser explored places.

After 12 years living overseas, she’s back in Scotland, rediscovering her homeland in her campervan Ernie and documenting it on her social media channels.

Check out some recent Videos

Latest From Instagram

ruthaisling

Scotland Travel Vlog October 2022

Dun da Lamh Hill Fort - Anglo-centric historians portray the Picts as a savage and uncultured race. However, the Picts left a legacy of hill forts and dwellings that show they were skilled builders and must have had well-organised communities. In this short video, we take you on a quick tour of Dun da Lamh hill fort to try to give you some idea of what an impressive defensive structure it once would have been.

Scotland Travel Vlog April 2022

Road Trip to Mull - Last month I wrote a blog in tribute to my Father who taught me so much about Scotland. This month, I went off on a road trip with my son just like my Dad used to do with me. In this video, you join us as we go exploring some of the overlooked attractions of Mull, Ulva and Morvern. The weather could have been kinder so the video is a lot shorter than planned,

Scotland Travel Vlog September 2021

The Secret of Alvie Kirk - Scotland is a country rich in history and legends. With so much history it is understandable that the details of events get confused or partially forgotten, but something significant happened long ago at Alvie Kirk and there is no record to explain the mass grave of 150 bodies. 

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Travel videos of Scotland

Top 10 places to visit in glasgow.

Glasgow is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Scotland having many best places in Glasgow. Glasgow is a port city on the River Clyde in Scotland's western Lowlands. It's famed for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture, a rich legacy of the city's 18th–20th-century prosperity due to trade and shipbuilding. Today it's a national cultural hub, home to institutions including the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland, as well as acclaimed museums and a thriving music scene.

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Scotland's Highlands

The Highlands stoke kilted dreams of Scotland …where legends of Bonnie Prince Charlie swirl around lonely castles. We visit the "Weeping Glen" of Glencoe, bustling Inverness, and the battlefield at Culloden. Then we'll make a pilgrimage to the spiritual capital of a major clan, and go prehistoric at Stone Age burial grounds and Iron Age island forts. 

Facts about Scotland

There is a lot more to see in Scotland than just bagpipes and kilts! Watch this video to find out more about Scotland, its capital Edinburgh , the highlands and the lowlands and many other things.

Scotland Bucketlist Top 10

Top 10 places to visit in scotland.

Scotland is one of the world's most enchanting places. From the mystical rock pillars of The Old Man of Storr to the magical streets of Edinburgh , Scotland is one of my all time favorite travel destinations. Hope this inspires you to visit the country soon.

Scotland ’s towns, villages, cities, iconic attractions and stunning landscapes are as varied and as diverse as they come, so no matter where you end up you’ll be blown away by the breathtaking setting around you.

10 Best Places to Visit in Scotland

At first glance, the Scottish landscape is harsh: foreboding fortresses atop hills and cliffs, the desolate moors… But spend some time here and you’ll quickly realize Scotland has its own unique beauty: breathtaking highlands just made for hiking and strolling, craggy coastlines, monuments that are proud reminders of long-ago battles, and blue lakes just made for fishing. Scotland is a land of legends and romance, from Robert the Bruce and Macbeth to lake monsters and the tragic Mary Queen of Scots. 

Experience the charm of Glasgow Scotland

The Best of Week, Experience the charm of Glasgow Scotland

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Scotland - Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 

Scotland wins third place on the list of the top countries in the world for travellers in 2014!

Travel Series - Scotland

Whoever travels to Scotland , meets a beautiful and rich country, rich in beauty and history. The majestic castles greet the visitor in every corner of the country. Witnesses of time ago which remind one rather of plays and dramas, such as Shakespeare or Macbeth which are the most famous example of it.

Some parts of Scotland rank among the most thinly settled areas of Europe and offer the possibility of experiencing nearly undisturbed landscapes. Whether lonely lighthouses or postcard picture church ruins, Scotland should be traveled in peace and with time, in order to absorb the un-comparable impressions, of nature and architect, it has to offer.

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Scotland

Top 10 things to do in scotland.

Our Top 10 Tips on what to see/do in Scotland , from Edinburgh to St. Andrews & the highlands to the islands. 

Things to do in Edinburgh, City Center

Some suggestions for things to do, places to be and sights to see when visiting Edinburgh City Center.

WELCOME TO EDINBURGH

THE EDINBURGH VIDEO GUIDE PRESENTS: ' Welcome to Edinburgh ', an introductory guide to Scotland 's magical capital city. Featuring the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat and The Crags, Calton Hill, The Scott Monument, St Giles' Cathedral, Greyfriars Bobby, The National Museum of Scotland, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, The Scottish Parliament, The National Galleries of Scotland, The Old Town, The New Town, Princes Street and George Street, The Forth Rail Bridge, Fife and a whole lot more. Edinburgh's definitive guide brought to you by the most comprehensive video guide in the city - The #EVG.

Travel Video | Scotland

Filmed all over the mainland of Scotland and the Isle of Skye while on a Haggis Adventure tour. October 2014.

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Royal Dornoch, Championship Course

Welcome to Scotland

Scotland is a place of epic natural landscapes, engaging cities and rich cultural heritage. Start your adventure and discover our hidden gems to create memories with friends and family. But don't just take our word for it. National Geographic has just included Scotland in their Best of the World 2024 list, and Far North Scotland has been named as one of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel destinations for 2024! 

Whatever you need right now, let's make it a reality. We can’t wait to share Scotland with you. 

Inspiration for your trip

Things to See & Do in Scotland

Discover a wealth of things to see & do in Scotland.

Scotland's Landscapes, Scenery & Nature Spots

Explore our ancient pine forests, arctic landscapes, coastal meadows and more.

Events & Festivals in Scotland

There's something happening in Scotland right now that the whole family will love.

Unusual Accommodation in Scotland

Fancy staying somewhere a little different? From castles to lighthouses, teepees to brochs, there's lots of unusual choices.

Scottish Culture & Uniquely Scottish Things

Discover the culture and stories that make Scotland special. 

Scottish Food & Drink

Get a taste for Scotland and discover the country's mouth-watering food and drink.

Pick of the month

Stargazing at the Bruce's Stone in Dumfries and Galloway

© Visit South West Scotland / Ben Bush

Choose Scotland for your cosmic-break

Whether it's catching a glimpse of an eclipse, seeing the northern lights or marvelling at the night sky, Scotland is a magical location for a cosmic getaway.

Uncover Scotland's regions

Map of Scotland

Where will you explore?

From the rugged coastline to sparkling city lights, the ancient Caledonian forests of the Highlands to the rich history of the Lowlands, there are plenty of places to start your Scottish adventure. 

Browse our travel blog

Not sure where to start? Check out our list of what's new to spark your imagination. 

13 Taylor Swift Inspired Trips In & Around Edinburgh

Create your own Love Story in Edinburgh and beyond with these Swiftie trip ideas.

11 Reasons Why You Should Visit Scotland In 2024

Discover reasons why you should visit Scotland in 2024. Including Arbroath Abbey, Caithness and Sutherland, Perth Museum and more!

9 Places To Enjoy An Afternoon Tea In Scotland

Discover places to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea in Scotland. Including Maryculter House, Garvock House Hotel, The Willow Tearooms and more!

10 Stunning Pub Walks In Scotland

Discover these stunning pub walks in Scotland. Including Lerwick Explorer to Douglas Arms, Gullane to Bonnie Badger and more!

7 Films & TV Shows Set in Scotland For Your Watch List

Discover great films and tv shows set in Scotland you should add to your watch list. Including One Day, Buccaneers, Traitors, Vigil and more!

10 tricky Scottish place names and how to pronounce them

With this list you’ll get the hang of these 10 tricky Scottish place names in next to no time!

Start planning your seasonal break

Whatever time of year you're coming, Scotland's got you covered. Immerse yourself in each unique season.

Summer Holidays & Breaks in Scotland

Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities.

Autumn Breaks

Christmas & Winter Breaks

Spring Holidays & Breaks in Scotland

Top tips for travelling to scotland.

Driving an Electric Vehicle in Scotland

Everything you need to know about driving, or hiring, an electric vehicle in Scotland.

Scotland's Weather, Climate & Average Temperature

What's the weather in Scotland? Find out about weather across Scotland's different regions.

Passports, visas & customs

Coming from overseas? Check the passport and visa requirements for visiting Scotland.

Travelling to Scotland

Plan your journey to Scotland by train, bus, car, plane or ferry.

Accommodation in Scotland

Find the perfect accommodation for your break to Scotland.

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How to Plan the Perfect Scotland Vacation

From fairy-tale castles to charming small towns, the Scottish countryside is every bit as spectacular as you've heard.

Best Times to Go to Scotland

Best things to do in scotland.

• Getting to the Scottish Highlands

Where to Stay in Scotland

With its stately castles , glass-like lochs, and voluptuous glens, Scotland has always been a showstopper. The country's magic extends from its quaint small towns to the snow-capped peaks of its romantic, rugged Highlands to its dynamic modern cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh. It's home to some of the best national parks in the U.K. and more than 900 offshore islands with extraordinary wildlife like regal red stags, majestic golden eagles, humpback whales, and massive salmon (not to mention the fabled inhabitant of Loch Ness, too).

The raw, poetic beauty of this ancient land — formerly known as Caledonia — is difficult to overstate. If you're hoping to head to the U.K.'s ravishing northern nation, read on for our guide to planning the perfect Scotland vacation.

The bad news is that, like the rest of the U.K., Scotland's weather is far from reliable, even at the height of summer. But as long as you're prepared to accept that and pack a raincoat for the odd shower or two, then you'll be fine from May to September. The smart money is on visiting in June and the first two weeks of July, when Scotland basks in seemingly endless summer evenings (the sun doesn't set until 11 p.m. in some parts of the Highlands) and the British school holidays have not yet begun, so prices remain low.

For winter travelers, Scotland has the U.K.'s best ski resort at Cairngorm Mountain , while the capital, Edinburgh, hosts one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve parties, Hogmanay .

If you like the great outdoors, you'll love Scotland. It's an ideal place for hiking, biking, and generally embracing the wildly beautiful landscape. You can summit magnificent Ben Nevis in a day (the tallest mountain in the U.K., at 4,413 feet), take a ferry out to explore the Hebrides archipelago and its stunning white-sand beaches, tour scores of castles, including the Queen's favorite holiday home, Balmoral (open to the public every April through July), and dive into a quirky food scene encompassing dishes like haggis (an offal and oatmeal combo, which tastes significantly better than it sounds), deep-fried mars bars, and juicy scallops, langoustines, and mussels.

Scotland is also a mecca for both golfers ( St. Andrews Old Course is the headline act) and whisky lovers , with some of the world's best distilleries available to tour, including Johnnie Walker on Edinburgh's lively Princes Street, Glenlivet near pretty Ballindalloch, and the legendary Macallan on a sprawling country estate in nearby Aberlour.

If you enjoy driving, you'll find some of the U.K.'s emptiest, most dramatic roads here, too, (as driven by James Bond in "Skyfall"), including the latest official addition, the North Coast 500 , an action-packed 500-mile route (516 to be exact) featuring mind-boggling coastal scenery, jaw-dropping beaches, rolling hillside, quaint fishing villages, and multiple hidden gems.

And if you prefer your challenges on foot, check out the magnificent West Highland Way , the country's best-loved long-distance walking route. Snaking its way from Milngavie to Fort William, it covers some of Scotland's finest scenery over 96 miles and is normally completed from south to north.

Meanwhile, history buffs will also be agog on any visit to Scotland, thanks to its 3,000-plus castles ( Castle Sween in Argyll is the oldest, dating back to the 1100s), as well as plenty to check out in the winding wynds (narrow lanes) and twisted staircases of Edinburgh's enchanting Old Town. ( Edinburgh Castle , towering over the city, is arguably the grandest in the country, too.)

If you can, make time to visit Perth, the former Scottish capital where kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny and infamous Glen Coe, a beautiful valley full of waterfalls and deer, also known for the brutal clan massacre of 1692 (which inspired the Red Wedding in George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones ).

Where are the Scottish Highlands — and what is the best way to get there?

Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure

The clue is in its name: the Highlands are the mountainous upper half of Scotland, covering 10,000 square miles of picturesque scenery. The region's lively capital is Inverness , which sits centrally and is a superb base from which to explore, while other highlights include mysterious, misty Loch Ness, majestic Cairngorms National Park , and idyllic Isle of Skye , which has been connected to the mainland via a road bridge since 1995.

The easiest way to reach the Highlands is to fly into Inverness Airport from London or elsewhere in the U.K., or rent a car and drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh. However, the way to arrive in style is on the Caledonian Sleeper train from London Euston, a chugging time machine where you can fall asleep to the sounds of black cabs and bustle of the British capital and wake up among the red deer and magical glens of the Highlands. Regularly nominated as one of the world's best train journeys , the scenery gets truly spectacular after Fort William, as the route skirts a dramatic chain of lochs before descending into lush glens and crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films. For the ultimate Hogwarts experience, steam locomotives work this route during the summer months, so check in advance for these special departures.

The major cities have an abundance of hotels for every budget, headlined by Glasgow's Kimpton Blythswood Square , a boutique property in the former headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, and The Dunstane Houses in Edinburgh, a pair of beautifully renovated 19th-century townhouses.

Scotland arguably does traditional country house hotels and rustic lodges better than anywhere else in the world, with Fife Arms in Braemar and Gleneagles in Perthshire being particular treats (the latter, nicknamed the "Glorious Playground" boasts three championship golf courses, its own dedicated train station, and the only restaurant in the country with two Michelin stars).

Scotland is, of course, peppered with castles, and many have been converted into hotels and B&Bs in recent years, with some of the better fortified accommodation options including Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, Inverlochy Castle in Fort William, Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry, and Stonefield Castle Hotel on Loch Fyne.

Wherever you stay, you'll get a warm welcome — not to mention a hot bowl of Scottish porridge or a plate of bacon, eggs, and haggis to start the day in a spectacularly scenic country.

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Scottish husband behind viral blue-black dress illusion admits to brutally attacking wife.

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The Scottish husband behind the infamous “dress that broke the internet” admitted to strangling his wife, nearly a year after he was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Keir Johnston, 38, pleaded guilty on Thursday to attacking his wife, Grace Johnston, in their home on Scotland’s Isle of Colonsay on March 6, 2022.

Johnston was alleged to have brandished a knife while he threatened his wife, saying “someone is going to die” following a night of drinking during the assault, according to the Guardian.

The almost fatal attack began days before when Grace defied Keir’s demands of not attending a job interview on the mainland, the outlet reported.

On the day of the attack, Keir Johnston told his wife he would be leaving her which led to an argument between the couple.

“She went outside the property to stop him leaving. He followed her and pinned her to the ground,” prosecutor Chris Macintosh told the Glasgow High Court.

“He placed both knees on her arms, so she was unable to move. He then began strangling her with both his hands. She was initially able to scream and feared for her life and believed Johnston intended to kill her as he was very forceful.”

A witness pulled Keir Johnston off his wife, but the crazed husband went inside before returning back moments later threatening to “finish” his wife “off” and choking her again, according to the BBC.

Keir Johnston was also reportedly holding a knife.

Grace Johnston suffered severe bruises and called the police, telling the dispatcher “My husband is trying to kill me.”

Keir Johnston was initially charged with attempted murder.

During the trial the high court in Glasgow, Grace Johnston detailed an 11-year campaign of abuse she suffered from her husband which included domestic violence acts and coercive control.

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Keir Johnston also allegedly isolated Grace from her friends and family, as well as monitoring her money to decide how much of it she could have access to.

The couple reached internet fame when Grace’s mother, Cecilia Bleasdale, purchased the infamous dress a week before their wedding in Feb. 2015.

Bleasdale had sent a photo of her outfit to her daughter and asked for her opinion on the dress, which confused the couple who disagreed over the color.

Grace saw it as white-and-gold while Keir argued it was Black-and-blue.

It is of course, black-and-blue.

At the wedding, Caitlin McNeill, the couple’s friend, was set to perform with her band, but got caught up with the dress, and posted the photo to her blog on Tumblr, Business Insider reported.

The photo was an overnight sensation leading people to argue the color scheme.

After reaching internet fame, the couple, Grace’s mother and McNeill appeared on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” where Bleasdale wore the dress to put the debate to sleep.

The daytime talk show host gave the couple a check for $10,000 and a trip to the Caribbean.

Following his guilty plea, Keir applied for “continued bail” but was placed into custody, where he will remain until he is sentenced next month.

“You repeatedly strangled her, injured her and put her life in danger in what must have been absolutely terrifying circumstances for her,” Judge Lady Drummond told the man, according to the BBC.

“I am afraid, Mr Johnston, that your status has now changed, you have been convicted of a very serious crime and you will be remanded meantime.”

Johnston will be sentenced on June 6.

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A practical guide to travel in Egypt, from tipping culture to independent touring

From packing tips to advice on haggling, here’s everything you need to know while planning your trip.

Whether you want to sail down the Nile on a felucca, explore ancient temples, browse the museums of Cairo or go trekking in Sinai, there are a few things to bear in mind when planning your trip to Egypt. Here’s what to be aware of when it comes to visas, tipping, guides and more.

Do I need a visa?

Almost all travellers, including visitors from the UK and the EU, need a visa to travel to Egypt. While it’s possible to get a visa on arrival, it saves time at the airport if you apply online in advance. A single-entry tourist visa costs US$25 (£20). If you plan to stay in the resort towns in Sinai for fewer than 15 days, you do not need a visa. Instead, you receive a ‘permission stamp’ in your passport when you land at Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport. While this option is a money saver, the list of places you’re permitted to visit is quite limited — even Ras Mohamed National Park at the southern tip of Sinai is off limits without the full visa.

What should I pack?

Egypt is a majority Muslim country, so it’s respectful for travellers to dress modestly. For all genders, this means covering everything between your shoulders and knees. You will likely be asked to cover up more if you visit a mosque or church.

The tap water is not safe to drink here so bring a water bottle with a filter, such as those from Lifestraw .

Wi-fi ranges from infuriatingly slow to nonexistent across the country, even at five-star hotels. Get mobile data through your service provider at home or buy an Egyptian SIM card when you land at the airport.

Can I pay by card in Egypt?

Cash reigns supreme but you can use a card at some higher-end hotels and restaurants. Take some Egyptian pounds out of a cash machine when you arrive, but be mindful of the fluctuating exchange rate and don’t take more out than you need. For bigger expenses, consider bringing US dollars, the most — and sometimes only — accepted foreign currency.

Tipping, called baksheesh, infiltrates almost every interaction you’ll have. It’s customary to tip nearly everyone you come in contact with, even for services you don’t want or require. Keep small change on hand for toilet attendants, porters, mosque caretakers and guards at temples and tombs.

Should I join a tour or travel independently?

Egypt has been a package-tour destination since the days of Thomas Cook, who first led a group to Egypt in 1869. The country is well set up for tour groups, and many first-time visitors find this option easiest, with guides and transport logistics arranged for you. Egypt’s historic sites have little signage, making a tour guide a necessity for deeper understanding.

Nile cruises generally run between Luxor and Aswan in both directions, but a few make the long journey from Cairo. Trains, planes and buses connect cities along the Nile, and buses or internal flights can take you to the Red Sea coast.

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The huge solar storm is keeping power grid and satellite operators on edge

Geoff Brumfiel

Willem Marx

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of solar flares early Saturday afternoon. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there have been measurable effects and impacts from the geomagnetic storm. Solar Dynamics Observatory hide caption

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of solar flares early Saturday afternoon. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there have been measurable effects and impacts from the geomagnetic storm.

Planet Earth is getting rocked by the biggest solar storm in decades – and the potential effects have those people in charge of power grids, communications systems and satellites on edge.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there have been measurable effects and impacts from the geomagnetic storm that has been visible as aurora across vast swathes of the Northern Hemisphere. So far though, NOAA has seen no reports of major damage.

The Picture Show

Photos: see the northern lights from rare, solar storm.

There has been some degradation and loss to communication systems that rely on high-frequency radio waves, NOAA told NPR, as well as some preliminary indications of irregularities in power systems.

"Simply put, the power grid operators have been busy since yesterday working to keep proper, regulated current flowing without disruption," said Shawn Dahl, service coordinator for the Boulder, Co.-based Space Weather Prediction Center at NOAA.

NOAA Issues First Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch Since 2005

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"Satellite operators are also busy monitoring spacecraft health due to the S1-S2 storm taking place along with the severe-extreme geomagnetic storm that continues even now," Dahl added, saying some GPS systems have struggled to lock locations and offered incorrect positions.

NOAA's GOES-16 satellite captured a flare erupting occurred around 2 p.m. EDT on May 9, 2024.

As NOAA had warned late Friday, the Earth has been experiencing a G5, or "Extreme," geomagnetic storm . It's the first G5 storm to hit the planet since 2003, when a similar event temporarily knocked out power in part of Sweden and damaged electrical transformers in South Africa.

The NOAA center predicted that this current storm could induce auroras visible as far south as Northern California and Alabama.

Extreme (G5) geomagnetic conditions have been observed! pic.twitter.com/qLsC8GbWus — NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 10, 2024

Around the world on social media, posters put up photos of bright auroras visible in Russia , Scandinavia , the United Kingdom and continental Europe . Some reported seeing the aurora as far south as Mallorca, Spain .

The source of the solar storm is a cluster of sunspots on the sun's surface that is 17 times the diameter of the Earth. The spots are filled with tangled magnetic fields that can act as slingshots, throwing huge quantities of charged particles towards our planet. These events, known as coronal mass ejections, become more common during the peak of the Sun's 11-year solar cycle.

A powerful solar storm is bringing northern lights to unusual places

Usually, they miss the Earth, but this time, NOAA says several have headed directly toward our planet, and the agency predicted that several waves of flares will continue to slam into the Earth over the next few days.

While the storm has proven to be large, predicting the effects from such incidents can be difficult, Dahl said.

Shocking problems

The most disruptive solar storm ever recorded came in 1859. Known as the "Carrington Event," it generated shimmering auroras that were visible as far south as Mexico and Hawaii. It also fried telegraph systems throughout Europe and North America.

Stronger activity on the sun could bring more displays of the northern lights in 2024

While this geomagnetic storm will not be as strong, the world has grown more reliant on electronics and electrical systems. Depending on the orientation of the storm's magnetic field, it could induce unexpected electrical currents in long-distance power lines — those currents could cause safety systems to flip, triggering temporary power outages in some areas.

my cat just experienced the aurora borealis, one of the world's most radiant natural phenomena... and she doesn't care pic.twitter.com/Ee74FpWHFm — PJ (@kickthepj) May 10, 2024

The storm is also likely to disrupt the ionosphere, a section of Earth's atmosphere filled with charged particles. Some long-distance radio transmissions use the ionosphere to "bounce" signals around the globe, and those signals will likely be disrupted. The particles may also refract and otherwise scramble signals from the global positioning system, according to Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist with NOAA. Those effects can linger for a few days after the storm.

Like Dahl, Steenburgh said it's unclear just how bad the disruptions will be. While we are more dependent than ever on GPS, there are also more satellites in orbit. Moreover, the anomalies from the storm are constantly shifting through the ionosphere like ripples in a pool. "Outages, with any luck, should not be prolonged," Steenburgh said.

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The radiation from the storm could have other undesirable effects. At high altitudes, it could damage satellites, while at low altitudes, it's likely to increase atmospheric drag, causing some satellites to sink toward the Earth.

The changes to orbits wreak havoc, warns Tuija Pulkkinen, chair of the department of climate and space sciences at the University of Michigan. Since the last solar maximum, companies such as SpaceX have launched thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit. Those satellites will now see their orbits unexpectedly changed.

"There's a lot of companies that haven't seen these kind of space weather effects before," she says.

The International Space Station lies within Earth's magnetosphere, so its astronauts should be mostly protected, Steenburgh says.

In a statement, NASA said that astronauts would not take additional measures to protect themselves. "NASA completed a thorough analysis of recent space weather activity and determined it posed no risk to the crew aboard the International Space Station and no additional precautionary measures are needed," the agency said late Friday.

People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis on Friday in Whitley Bay, England. Ian Forsyth/Getty Images hide caption

People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis on Friday in Whitley Bay, England.

While this storm will undoubtedly keep satellite operators and utilities busy over the next few days, individuals don't really need to do much to get ready.

"As far as what the general public should be doing, hopefully they're not having to do anything," Dahl said. "Weather permitting, they may be visible again tonight." He advised that the largest problem could be a brief blackout, so keeping some flashlights and a radio handy might prove helpful.

I took these photos near Ranfurly in Central Otago, New Zealand. Anyone can use them please spread far and wide. :-) https://t.co/NUWpLiqY2S — Dr Andrew Dickson reform/ACC (@AndrewDickson13) May 10, 2024

And don't forget to go outside and look up, adds Steenburgh. This event's aurora is visible much further south than usual.

A faint aurora can be detected by a modern cell phone camera, he adds, so even if you can't see it with your eyes, try taking a photo of the sky.

The aurora "is really the gift from space weather," he says.

• space weather
• solar flares
• solar storm

Southwest Airlines 'looking into' video of woman lying inside overhead bin before takeoff

Passengers on a Southwestern Airlines flight were in for a surprise when they spotted a woman lying inside an overhead luggage compartment while boarding.

Video recorded by Monique Guzman shows a woman lying next to a suitcase, as a flight attendant is heard welcoming passengers on board the aircraft.

Southwest Airlines, in an email to USA TODAY, said the airline is looking into the incident and did not share further information. Storyful reported that the woman was seen on a flight from Albuquerque to Phoenix on May 6.

Guzman told Storyful that she "saw a head pop out of the overhead" as she got on the plane and that other passengers were unfazed by her presence and were “just casually walking past her.”

A flight attendant found her before takeoff, said Guzman. However, it is not immediately clear if she was removed from the overhead bin and how long she was there.

Earlier, in 2019, a Southwest flight attendant had crawled into a plane's overhead bin as passengers boarded a flight from Nashville to Atlanta. The airline, at the time, had said that the attendant was having a moment of fun and expressing her sense of humor.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.