Charles' Sunset Prognosis and updates on Broadcast
November 2003-February 2004 season
Broadcasting from this location began on 26th November 2003

This page will be updated daily around 13:00 GMT from 27th November 2003 to 6 February 2004 or more frequently if needed with predictions of the chances of a sunset at Maeshowe. 

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The latest Maeshowe pictures, and also of related Orkney sites.  Archives of pictures from previous years.


Exterior view from Maeshowe towards Hoy Hills, updated every 15 minutes from
09:00 to 16:00GMTdaily - picture will be black in hours of darkness.

Check The Orcadian weather page for more details

  • 21 January 2004 11:27 - overcast still but perhaps some clearance possible
  • 20 January 2004 13:00 - overcast
  • 19 January 2004 13:00 - overcast
  • 18 January 2004 13:00 - overcast
  • 17 January 2004 13:00 - overcast
  • 16 January 2004 12:39 - overcast now but was clear earlier, could still easily be a good sunset as yesterday
  • 15 January 2004 12:16 - lovely day and good chance of a sunset
  • 14 January 2004 12:45 - overcast in west but could clear
  • 13 January 2004 12:27 - Improving all the time and sunset highly likely with "flashing" still apparent.
  • 12 January 2004 14:08 - "Flashing" day but overcast
  • 11 January 2004 13:30 - overcast no sunset
  • 10 January 2004 11:12 - Excellent sunset yesterday and looking good for today too.
  • 09 January 2004 12:39 - Lovely day and very high chance of a good sunset today.
  • 08 January 2004 13:00 - Very dark and overcast today
  • 07 January 2004 14:18 - Overcast but clearing in west could be a sunset
  • 06 January 2004 14:00 - Overcast but clearing over Hoy Hill possible sunset
  • 05 January 2004 13:00 - Overcast
  • 04 January 2004 14:23 - Overcast with rain, but clearing in the west - sunset?
  • 04 January 2004 13:03 - Overcast and calm - no sunset likely
  • 03 January 2004 11:44 - Overcast and little chance of a sunset, problems with ISpy again but fixed.
  • 02 January 2004 13:00 - Overcast with showers no sunset
  • 01 January 2004 13:00 - Overcast with showers later no sunset
  • 31 December 2003 13:00 - Overcast and very windy with heavy showers - wonderful yesterday
  • 30 December 2003 12:00 - Lovely day and good chance of a sunset
  • 29 December 2003 12:13 - Snow with showers and sunshine - sunset?
  • 28 December 2003 13:54 - Overcast in west but some blue sky overhead - sunset unlikely but not impossible.
  • 27 December 2003 14:09 - Sunny periods and possible clearance in west should be good
  • 26 December 2003 13;00 - fully overcast
  • 25 December 2003 11:47 - Sunny periods with showers - a sunset is possible between showers.
  • 24 December 2003 12:53 - Sunny periods and NW wind with high pressure - good chance of a sunset
  • 23 December 2003 13:00 - Overcast and no chance at all of a sunset
  • 22 December 2003 14:28 - Sadly overcast despite a ridge of high pressure. Occluded front passing later and maybe clearer after that
  • 21 December 2003 13:55 - Snow showers with sunny periods, but very grey in west. Not very likely that there will be a sunset but the could easily be a clearance over Hoy all the same - check back at 14:35. 10:56 - NW wind with some showers but also clear sunny spells so it could easily be fine at sunset. Check back later.
  • 20 December 2003 12:24 - Overcast and calm with little chance of a sunset. Wind and snow showers still forcast for tomorrow. Animated gif file available.
  • 19 December 2003 13:04 - Looking good for today just as long as a shower does not arrive at the wrong moment! Weekend could also be OK, wintry showers and clear spells are forecast :>))
  • 18 December 2003 11:41 - Lovely sunrise, but overcast now and unlikely to clear. Excellent full sunset yesterday. Forecast next few days NW wind with snow showers but could easily be clear for sunsets.
  • 17 December 2003 14:23 - Clear on the SW horizon and to the south so some chance of a sunset tonight, perhaps.
  • 16 December 2003 13:34 - Still calm and overcast but cloud layer is thinner. Forecast better for later in week.
  • 15 December 2003 14:11 - Calm but overcast with sunny periods. Another front due tomorrow but a ridge of high pressure is forecast for later in week and perhaps the weekend, so there could be a clear period for the solstice.
  • 14 December 2003 13:25 - Wintery day with strong NW wind and snowy showers. However there are clearances and a sunset cannot be excluded.
  • 13 December 2003 13:25 - Showery day but with clear spells so a gap in the clouds at sunset is possible. Worth checking back at 14:40GMT
  • 12 December 2003 13:42 - Totally overcast with cloud over whole of UK, some chance of a clearance tomorrow. Quite good yesterday - sun shone into Maeshowe.
  • 11 December 2003 12:42 - Looking very good for today and perhaps tomorrow. Clear and sunny.
  • 10 December 2003 12:28 - Overcast again today, with aa front coming through, but supposed to be clearer next couple of days. VG sunset yesterday and new pix of Barnhouse Stone and from Watchstone added.
  • 09 December 2003 13:31 - Lovely moonlight night and sunny this am, but still thin cloud which may obscure sunset. Some possibility however as there is light in the west and in fact the horizon is clear right now over Hoy
  • 08 December 2003 13:34 - Thin but persistent cloud (sunny over most of Scotland) which does not look like clearing for sunset. Could be better Tuesday. Later in week may also be OK as a depression my go south of us.
  • 07 December 2003 12:23 - After a beautiful clear night it is now calm but overcast - little chance of a susnet but very high glass
  • 06 December 2003 13:29 - High pressure with clear skies for next few days. Looking good for today but may get hazy
  • 05 December 2003 12:07 - Wind, rain and low cloud today - no sunset
  • 04 December 2003 12:45 - Wind, rain and low cloud today - no sunset
  • 03 December 2003 13:58 - Sunset very likely today lovely am but clouded over, now clearing again
  • 02 December 2003 12:26 - Forecast is to clear from west so sunset possible but overcast at present. Much better for tomorrow but check back at 14:30GMT
  • 01 December 2003 12:44 - Good flashing display yesterday and coulkd easily be good today again as seems to be clearing in west, sunny now. Three cameras now operational.

  • 30 November 2003 - 12:36 Lovely day and a good chance of a sunset, with "flashing" observed behind the Ward Hill of Hoy.

  • 29 November 2003 - 12:24 Overcast and raining forecast is to clear laster but no sunset likely today - large Atlantic depression to south and may be better next week
  • 28 November 2003 - 14:00 - Cleared later but not in time for sunset
  • 27 November 2003 - good sunrise, rain forecast later, systems OK. Cameras 1 and 2 are in place and operational, we are having some cable problems with camera 3 but hope to have that solved in the next couple of days.
  • 26 November 2003 - equipment set up and operational except for one camera.Router and other components have arrived and we will be setting up equipment at Maeshowe tomorrow. More sensitive cameras, a new computer, router and other improvements will hopefully improve the quality and reliability of the broadcast. Watch this space for images soon. A selection of new still images is also in processing and will be online soon
  • 12 November 2003 - Beautiful day and clear sunset. The indicator day from the Watchstone is when the sun sets into the notch between the Kame of Hoy and the nearer ridge. The Ring of Bookan also looked very clear in the low light.

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