FORECASTERS predict clear skies in East Lothian this evening, meaning residents have a high chance of being able to witness a historic partial solar eclipse.
Special protective glasses have sold out across the UK and people without will instead have to try their hand at crafting a homemade viewing device.
More than 90 per cent of the sun will be obscured by the moon in the fullest solar eclipse since 1999.
In East Lothian, the sun will be 90.7 per cent obscured.
The first contact will be made at 6.08pm and the peak will be at about 7.05pm.
The Met Office has said that those in the east of Scotland will have the best chance of the eclipse being visible as clear skies are expected.
This is in contrast to much of the country, which will see cloudy skies due to a weather front pushing into the north-west.
The next time the moon obscures as much of the sun will be in 2081 and the next total solar eclipse in the UK will be in 2090.
The Met Office website reads: “A weather front will likely keep north-western areas of the country cloudy throughout the evening.
“The cloud forecast across the central belt and southern Scotland is expected to be less thick than that in the north-west.”
Stargazers are eager to see the rare phenomenon, but members of the public have been warned to take precautions to view the spectacle safely.
It is important never to look directly at the sun as even brief exposure can cause lasting damage to the retina and lead to vision problems.
Planning to watch the eclipse on Wednesday evening?
Here are some tips on how to safely enjoy the spectacle 🌒 pic.twitter.com/oh9f49LL1q— Met Office (@metoffice) August 11, 2026
Eclipse glasses offer protection from and legitimate pairs will have safety certification ISO 12312-2 or ISO 12312-2:2015 printed somewhere on the glasses.
However, these have sold out throughout the UK.
Normal sunglasses will not be enough to block the harmful rays, even if multiple pairs are stacked on top of each other.
Instead, people have been tasked with creating their own viewing devices, such as creating a DIY pinhole projector.
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