Edinburgh locals rage as 93 cars of Northern Lights spotters park in 'no access' zone

Lee Dalgetty
·2-min read
Dozens of cars were parked on Calton Hill on Saturday night
Dozens of cars were parked on Calton Hill on Saturday night -Credit:Friends of Calton Hill


Edinburgh residents have slammed drivers who parked on Calton Hill on Saturday night, with people across the country looking to get a view of the Northern Lights.

Locals claimed that they counted 93 cars parked at the beauty spot between 11pm and 11.20pm on May 11, despite the "authorised vehicles only" sign.

This came after people across Edinburgh were amazed by sights of the aurora borealis on Friday night, with many keen to get another glimpse as experts predicted the chances "likely".

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The phenomenon was visible to many across the country on Friday night, due to a rare storm. Clear skies made sightings possible from "almost everywhere in the UK", according to BBC Weather.

Friends of Calton Hill posted to X/Twitter: "Counted 93 cars on Calton Hill tonight, from 11 to 11.20pm — despite the big authorised vehicles only sign at the entrance.

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"11 cars parked on the grass. Acceptable? Out of control?"

Jo Edwards replied: "I walked up just after 11pm to cars everywhere, engines running, music blaring, general carnage. I didn’t stay long."

Moi Ali added: "I walked up just after 11pm to cars everywhere, engines running, music blaring, general carnage. I didn’t stay long."

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John Willis commented: "Yep. I was up there.

"It was disgraceful. A lot of them parked with engines running and lights on, blinding everyone and making it difficult for anyone to see the night sky. Drivers are so entitled. They do what they want."

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