The Summer Solstice on 21 June 2026 marks the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In the UK, it happens at 9:24 am BST, when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky. For thousands of years, people have celebrated this special day, with ancient sites such as Stonehenge drawing visitors to welcome the sunrise. In Scotland, midsummer traditions have long included hilltop gatherings, bonfires, music, and celebrations linked to the Sun’s power and the changing seasons. Some communities also associated the solstice period with good fortune, protection, and a strong connection to the natural world. After the solstice, daylight hours gradually begin to shorten, leading towards the Winter Solstice on 21 December 2026, which is 183 days later and marks the shortest day of the year. Today, the Summer Solstice signals the start of astronomical summer and brings the long, bright days that make this time of year so special.
