Astronomers however predict that Shetland and the Outer Hebrides will see up to 98 per cent of the sun obscured by the moon, with Skye and Orkney at around 97 per cent. And Faroe Islanders will witness a total solar eclipse that will last around 2 minutes and 12 seconds.
The next solar eclipse will be in America in 2017, and the next total eclipse anywhere near the UK will be in 2081 in central Europe, and finally in Britain in 2090.
Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides are in line for a tourism boost as stargazers flock north for a rare chance to see a total solar eclipse.
Many special cruises have been organised to take holidaymakers north into the path of the eclipse, which will be total above the Faroe Islands. Many of these ships are set to call in to port in the Highlands and Islands, bringing a timely out-of-season bonus.
Visit Scotland island manager for Orkney, Barbara Foulkes, said the cruise liners will generate “millions of pounds” for the local economy. In the summer, when cruise ship arrivals are at their peak, we can see up to several hundred people a day accessing our information centre to find out more about making the most of their time on Orkney. We’re looking forward to welcoming passengers on their way to see the eclipse, when they will discover that the outstanding natural beauty of Orkney truly is out of this world.”
A total eclipse occurred back in 1999 and the only part of mainland Britain to witness totality – the full blacking out of the sun by the moon – was Cornwall in south-west England.
More than a million people gathered in Cornwall and Devon for the event, with cloudy skies greatly reducing the effect for many.
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