Scots Left Disappointed As Cloud Covers Solar Eclipse

Scots across the country came out in the hope of witnessing a once-in-a-generation solar eclipse on Wednesday evening, but many were left disappointed when it was covered by a blanket of cloud. More than 90% of the sun was obscured by the Moon between about 6pm and 8.15pm on August 12, the most it has been blocked above UK skies since the total eclipse in 1999. It is expected to be the fullest eclipse over local skies until 2081. Crowds of skywatchers gathered at viewing events across Scotland, with people packing onto the summit of Calton Hill in Edinburgh, where the city's astronomical society had organised a viewing event. A long queue formed at the observatory gates at the start of the evening hoping to collect a sought-after pair of eclipse glasses, but supplies ran out at about 6pm.

Others had brought kitchen colanders or home-made devices made from cereal boxes or sheets of paper for viewing the eclipse indirectly. The eclipse began shortly after 6pm, with the "peak" extent of the sun's coverage happening at slightly different times in different areas of the country.