Photo: Andrew Colin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Edinburgh

Edinburgh sees a partial eclipse of around 90.6% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun 14° above the horizon — the highest Sun of any major UK city, and the easiest viewing geometry in Britain.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~19:05 BSTScotland · 12 Aug 2026 · maximum eclipse

Duration~1h 51m of partial eclipseThis is the full partial eclipse from first to last contact. There is no totality here — the Sun is never completely covered, so there is no corona and no moment when it is safe to look without protection.

Sun altitude~14° above the WNW horizonhigh enough that cloud, not terrain, is the risk

Coverage90.6% (partial)Edinburgh is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 90.6% of the Sun is covered at maximum — a deep partial eclipse, but not a total one. The corona never appears and the sky does not go dark.

Clear-sky odds Cloud is the main risk · ≈45%This is Britain in August: cloud is the default and clear evenings are a bonus. The saving grace is that the Sun is relatively high, so you only need a gap rather than a perfectly clear horizon.

Counting down to maximum

—days —hrs —min —sec

Edinburgh sees a partial eclipse of around 90.6% on 12 August 2026, with the Sun 14° above the horizon — the highest Sun of any major UK city, and the easiest viewing geometry in Britain.

Below: Edinburgh's exact timings, the hills that make this city ideal for eclipse watching, the honest weather picture, and where coverage runs deeper.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~18:08 BSTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~19:05 BSTPartial — ~1h 51m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~20:56 BSTPartial ends ~19:59 BST

The partial eclipse runs from about 18:08 to 19:59 BST, with maximum coverage of 90.6% at around 19:05. The whole eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:56 BST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Arthur's Seat

Elevated · dramatic

Best panorama in the city

The extinct volcano in the middle of Edinburgh gives a complete panorama over the city, the Firth of Forth and out to the west — the standout choice, and worth the climb.

Calton Hill

Elevated · accessible

Easy height, classic view

A short walk from Princes Street to a wide open summit with monuments and long views west over the city — the best effort-to-view ratio in Edinburgh.

Blackford Hill and the Royal Observatory

Elevated · astronomical

Height and heritage

The hill south of the centre hosts the Royal Observatory and gives open views north and west over the whole city.

Portobello beach and the Forth shore

Coast · open water

Low open horizon

The shoreline gives a flat, open outlook across the Firth — useful if you want a sea horizon rather than a city panorama.

South for deeper coverage

More of the Sun covered

Cornwall ~96%

Scotland sees slightly less coverage than southern England. If depth matters more than convenience, Cornwall's ~96% is the UK's best.

Local astronomy societies and science centres often organise safe public viewing with filtered telescopes — worth checking closer to the date.

Plan your trip

Where to stay near the eclipse

Accommodation around the viewing area for eclipse night (11–13 Aug 2026). Compare hotels and rentals live on the map below.

The weather call

Will the sky be clear?

Edinburgh has the best geometry in the UK — the Sun is 14° up at maximum — and the city is ringed by hills with open western views. Terrain is simply not a problem here.

Scottish August weather is the obstacle: cloud is common and can be persistent.

Coverage is also slightly lower than southern England.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — one pair per person
Glasses stay ON for the entire eclipse — there is no safe moment here
A reasonable view west — the Sun is ~14° up, so gaps in cloud are enough
Arrive before 18:08 to catch first contact

Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours
Never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a proper solar filter
Pinhole projection is a safe way for groups to watch together
If you want totality, it is northern Spain — not here

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. There’s no safe moment to look unaided here — keep certified eyewear on the entire time.

ISO 12312-2 certified
CE · EU 2016/425 PPE
Made & shipped in the EU

Edinburgh eclipse FAQ

Will Edinburgh see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

No. Edinburgh is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 90.6% of the Sun covered at maximum. That is a striking sight through eclipse glasses, but it is not totality — the corona does not appear, the sky does not go dark, and there is no moment when it is safe to look without protection. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Edinburgh?

The partial phase begins at about 18:08 BST and maximum — 90.6% coverage — comes at roughly 19:05 BST. The whole eclipse finishes before sunset at 20:56 BST, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Edinburgh?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. This is the most important difference from a total eclipse: because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 90.6% coverage the remaining sliver is dangerously bright. Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE glasses stay on from start to finish.

Where should I watch from in Edinburgh?

With the Sun about 14° above the horizon at maximum, you have some flexibility — a break in the cloud matters more than a perfect horizon. Higher, open ground still gives the best view.

Is Edinburgh a good place to watch the 2026 eclipse?

Geometrically it is the best in Britain — the Sun is 14° above the horizon at maximum, higher than anywhere else in the UK, and Edinburgh's hills give superb open viewpoints. Coverage is slightly lower than southern England at about 91%, and Scottish cloud is the real variable.

Will the weather be clear in Edinburgh on eclipse day?

This is Britain in August: cloud is the default and clear evenings are a bonus. The saving grace is that the Sun is relatively high, so you only need a gap rather than a perfectly clear horizon.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Kilder: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (vejr) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Tidspunkter er lokale (CEST).