Solar eclipse set to bring visitor boost to Orkney

Orkney looks set to capitalise on a boost in visitor numbers thanks to the solar eclipse this week.

So called ‘astro tourists’ are expected to flock to Orkney, as well as the Outer Hebrides and Shetland, and the north of the country, to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon, due to be visible on Friday morning.

Remoter parts of these regions offer perfect ‘dark skies’ and very little light pollution – improving the chances of seeing this spectacle at its best, which will of course, very much depend on the weather.

Three ships operated by Cruise and Maritime Voyages will be stopping off in Scotland on special solar eclipse voyages, with more than 2,500 passengers heading north to witness the event.

The Marco Polo  with 750 passengers will stop off at Kirkwall and Invergordon; the Magellan with 1200 passengers will spend a day at both Invergordon and Lerwick, while the Azores with its 500 passengers will call at Kirkwall, Lerwick and Stornoway.

On each voyage, special pairs of protective glasses are to be handed out to passengers, while two drone pilots will join the Marco Polo in Orkney to capture some unforgettable images.

In Orkney, the eclipse will be approximately 96% and will be the one of the darkest places in the UK after the Isle of Lewis (98%).

Some tour companies based in Orkney are reporting a boost in bookings with visitors keen to witness the phenomenon from the Ring of Brodgar.