Sean in Spain: 'I can't wait to show you total solar eclipse'

STV’s Sean Batty has jetted off to Spain to experience a once-in-a-generation solar eclipse and is taking us with him.

The meteorologist has touched down in Majorca, which is expected to fall into complete darkness for two minutes as the moon passes between the sun and the Earth.

The three celestial bodies will briefly align from 6pm on Wednesday.

While parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and Portugal will experience a total solar eclipse, the UK will see 96% of the sun obscured by the moon in some areas – the most it has been blocked since the total eclipse in 1999.

The Spanish Government has said 500,000 people have travelled from across the world to experience the country’s first total eclipse in over 120 years.

Sean said: “Ever since Cornwall experienced the phenomenon in 1999, I’ve been so jealous.

“It gave me goosebumps when I watched it on television. Being here and experiencing it with thousands of people is going to be an incredible experience.

“These things don’t come around often – we’re going to have to wait til 2135. I can’t wait to show you what totality feels like.”

Eclipse in Scotland

The Met Office said it will peak in Inverness at 7.03pm, when 90.74% of the sun will be obscured, while in Edinburgh the peak will come at 7.06pm, when 90.71% of the sun will be covered.

Some western areas of the country will see more than 92% coverage.

However, in a blow to stargazers, forecasters have warned the rare event is likely to be hidden behind clouds for many, but that it may be visible in some areas.

The Met Office said eastern areas such as Aberdeenshire, Angus and Moray are most likely to have clear skies when the rare event takes place.

The forecaster said there may also be breaks in cloud cover in the central belt and southern Scotland.

However, a weather front means north-western areas of the country are likely to remain cloudy throughout the evening.

The Royal Astronomical Society will host visitors at the observatory on Calton Hill in Edinburgh, where stargazers will be given free eclipse glasses and be able to look through a solar telescope.

Other events in the south of the country include at the Red Burn Farm in Glasgow and the Dark Space Planetarium in Kirkcudbright.

Viewing events further north include the Tomintoul Skyhide Stargazing Pavilion in Ballindalloch and Mosstowie Primary School in Elgin.

There are also events planned on some of Scotland’s islands, including at Midhowe Broch Car Park, Rousay, Orkney, and at Ardminish on the Isle of Gigha.

Experts have reminded people not to look directly at the sun, with even brief exposure causing lasting vision damage.

Following the 1999 total solar eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems after watching the eclipse.

Around 40% had looked at it for less than a minute.

Experts said only special solar eclipse glasses that are ISO 12312-2 certified for the safest eye protection should be used to view it directly.

Follow the latest updates from Sean’s travels below.