Il cielo stellato su Clatteringshaws Loch
© VisitScotland / David N Anderson
GALLOWAY FOREST PARK
You can look forward to exceptionally dark night skies in Galloway Forest Park, the UK’s largest forest park in Dumfries & Galloway. Very few people live within the boundaries of Galloway Forest Park, meaning the nights are extra clear.
Clatteringshaws Loch and Kirroughtree Visitor Centre are perfect spots from which to view the night sky, and there are often stargazing events and guided tours by special Dark Sky Rangers.
Search for accommodation in Dumfries & Galloway and start planning a stargazing holiday
Una spiaggia vicino a Gallanach, Isola di Coll, Ebridi Interne
COLL
This tiny island off the west coast of mainland Scotland is one of the best places to stargaze in the UK. Designated a ‘dark sky community’ in 2013 by the International Dark Sky Association, the Isle of Coll is blessed with extremely low light pollution, guaranteeing clear vistas to observe the stars. The best time to visit for a stargazing holiday is from August to March when the skies are at their darkest. In high summer it is light almost all day! The island is quite flat, so almost anywhere is suitable to see the night sky in all its wonder, weather permitting.
Riserva naturale nazionale di Hermaness
© Nature Scot / Lorne Gill
Shetland
Shetland’s skies are always changing – on clear nights these islands are undoubtedly one of the best places in the UK to view the night sky. Why not head up to Unst - Britain's most northerly inhabited island - and follow the new Sky Trail? The trail takes you round this fascinating island, visiting a Viking longhouse, a musical bench with breath-taking views, a ruined castle and along a sandy white beach. 13 stops will introduce you to different aspects of the skies including dialect sayings about the weather, Viking history and contemporary issues such as climate change and tidal energy.
