Solar eclipse glasses 'sold out everywhere' as people look for alternatives

Specialist glasses can offer protection for those who want to watch the eclipse People across Scotland have been frantically scrambling to find the right kind of protective eyewear as the UK prepares for the best view of a solar eclipse in nearly three decades. Up to 95% of the Sun will slowly disappear behind the Moon on Wednesday evening, in the most dramatic partial eclipse visible from the UK since August 1999. It is important never to look directly at the Sun as even brief exposure can cause lasting damage. But most high street stores have sold out of eclipse glasses and online shoppers who track down a pair risk them not being delivered in time. The Moon will start to move in front of the Sun in Scotland at about, with the whole event expected to last about two hours. But even one glimpse at the Sun can be really dangerous. Eclipse glasses offer protection from harmful rays of sunlight as the Sun can damage the retina and lead to vision problems. Legitimate pairs will have safety certification ISO 12312-2 or ISO 12312-2:2015 printed somewhere on the glasses. Previously, newspapers have given away free pairs for major events and school children have been pictured gazing up at the Sun wearing them. Spectators wore specialist glasses to observe the solar eclipse which swept the UK in August 1999 Yet in Glasgow city centre on Tuesday, the specialist glasses were like gold dust. Opticians said they had taken a lot of calls, with people desperately asking whether they had any eclipse glasses. But customers have had no luck as many shops made the decision not to stock the protective eyewear. Signs on the window of Jessops suggested eclipse glasses were sold out everywhere in Glasgow city centre Multiple signs dotted on the shop window of specialised photography retailer Jessops shared the same message. "Sorry, we are SOLD OUT of solar eclipse glasses," the notice read. "To our knowledge, everywhere else is sold out too." Staff at the Sauchiehall Street branch next to Buchanan Galleries said there had been a lot of interest in the glasses. They added that they had been in stock for several months but have all been snapped up, with no more available. Caitlin (middle) and Morgan (right) said they planned to DIY a pinhole projector to watch the eclipse