In Pictures: Wolf supermoon snapped over Scotland

A yellow moon over snow capped evergreen trees on a grey-blue cloudy sky — Image caption,
A wintery scene in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, by BBC Weather Watcher Standfree333

4 January 2026

The first full moon of 2026 has lit up skies across Scotland.

Also known as the Wolf moon, it is the fourth supermoon in a row, following October's Harvest Moon, November's Beaver Moon and the Cold Moon in December.

It is called a supermoon because it looks larger, caused by its elliptical orbit bringing it closer to the Earth at certain times of the year.

The January full moon is often known as the Wolf Moon in the Northern Hemisphere because it marks the time of year when it was believed that wolves howled more, as there was less food around.

There will not be another chance to see a moon so large and bright in the sky until November 2026.

BBC Weather Watchers have been capturing images of the moon as it reached its peak.

A close-up picture of a silvery moon with dark patches on a pitch black background — Image caption,
John Bogie took this impressive picture of the supermoon over Coatbridge in North Lanarkshire

A yellow moon on light blue clouds with a pale pink sky. A field down below has groups of sheep grazing bright green grass, with fields divided by stone walls — Image caption,
David Sykes spotted the supermoon from a field in the Isle of Bute

A yellow/pink moon peaks out from behind a dark green hill on a low incline. There is a loch in front of the hill and it is dusk, so the sky is orangey pink — Image caption,
The supermoon peeking out from behind a hill near Carradale, Argyll and Bute. Photo by BBC Weather Watcher TealKat

Buildings are partially obscured by trees which sit by a river. In the distance, a hill towers over the village. The sky has pink clouds and a large white moon — Image caption,
Sheila Quibell snapped this picturesque scene with candyfloss skies over Rhu near Helensburgh

A close-up image of a silvery white moon with dark patches showing crevices on a pitch dark sky — Image caption,
Weather Watcher Freddy took this striking close-up from John O'Groats in the Highlands

A moon barely pokes out from behind a dark hill. It is getting dark and the sky is a dark purple/pink. A lion rampant Scotland flag waves on a pole in the foreground — Image caption,
Weather Watcher Louise sent in this atmospheric snap from Leven in Fife

A yellow moon on a sky which fades from pink to blue with hills and trees down below. — Image caption,
A colourful view of the supermoon, snapped by BBC Weather Watcher derekb from Kirkcowan in Dumfries and Galloway

A close-up picture of a silvery-yellow moon with dark patches on a pitch black background — Image caption,
A detailed close-up of the moon over Prestwick, South Ayrshire, by BBC Weather Watcher Big Ted

A yellow moon is partially obscured by a purple cloud, with dark tree branches in the foreground — Image caption,
The Wolf supermoon lit up the skies over Macmerry in East Lothian. Photograph by BBC Weather Watcher MuddyPaws

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