There may not be anything so wondrous as to look up to see a clear sky full of stars. In addition, seeing the Northern Lights is on many a travel bucket list. Luckily for travellers in search of stars and the Aurora Borealis, Scotland has some of the largest expanses of dark sky in Europe making it a perfect destination for eager stargazers.
Scotland lies at the same latitude as Stavanger in Norway and Nunivak Island in Alaska, which means a visit there is as likely to bring a spotting of the Northern Lights as other destinations. And with the colder, darker nights drawing in, it is the perfect time to get cosy up north and (hopefully) experience the auroral displays.
From Dumfries and Galloway in the south, to the coast of Aberdeenshire further north, to the country’s islands & Highlands, to Scotland’s cities - a dazzling trip to Scotland is not too far away.
The Northern
Lights
Star light, star bright
The best time to go stargazing is when there is no bright moon at night and when the sun has set enough so that twilight does not affect observations. Locations identified as ‘Dark Sky Sites’ are only dark during these times, equating to about two weeks every lunar month. Some of the best places to go stargazing in Scotland include:
Dumfries & Galloway, home to Galloway Forest Park, which has glens, lochs and some of the highest hills in southern Scotland. With so few buildings and very limited light pollution it was a natural choice to be the first Dark Sky Park to be named as such in the UK. A visit to the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is a must, as is meeting with a Dark Sky Ranger at one of the visitor centres. Also head to Moffat, the UK’s first Dark Sky Town.
With the high quality of the night skies, the Tomintoul & Glenlivet - Cairngorms Dark Sky Park became Scotland’s second international Dark Sky Park.
North West Sutherland, between Kylesku and Inchnadamph, is one of the darkest sky locations in the UK and possibly Europe, ideal for taking in the wonder of the dark skies above.
The Outer Hebrides has some of the darkest skies in the whole of the UK. Many astronomical sights can be seen through the naked eye including the Orion Nebula (over 1,500 light years away), the Milky Way Galaxy, and one of the Milky Way’s companion galaxies the Great Andromeda Galaxy. The Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis, can also be seen from the islands, one of the very best spots in the UK for watching this incredible phenomenon.
In addition, nine locations on the Isle of Skye have been officially named ‘Dark Discovery Sites’ after they were judged to be perfect spots for stargazing.
Events and tours
Coll & the Cosmos, Isle of Coll,
26 & 27 October 2019
A collaboration between Coll Bunkhouse and Cosmos Planetarium, Coll & The Cosmos is a stargazing weekend break on the Isle of Coll which makes the most of the island’s incredible dark sky. The break has been specifically designed to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. No prior knowledge of astronomy is needed. A two-day astronomical voyage of discovery, with approximately 10 hours of learning and stargazing activities delivered by expert astronomers, visitors can discover the beauty of the island itself and also experience the wonders of the night sky under some of the darkest sky in Europe.
Prices: from £75 per person, see https://collbunkhouse.com/dark-skies-coll-cosmos/ for full details.
Public Astronomy Evening at the Edinburgh Royal Observatory
Various dates October 2019 – March 2020 (18:30 – 19:30 & 20:00-21:00)
Visitors can find out about the history of Edinburgh's Royal Observatory and tour the fabulous Victorian telescope dome at one of their special Public Astronomy Evenings. These events are designed to be suitable for all ages and include stargazing should weather permit. Prior booking required. Events will involve and astronomy-related talk and stargazing and observing the skies through telescopes (weather permitting).
Cost: From £4 per person, see www.roe.ac.uk/vc/ for full details.
Now in its second year, the Hebridean Dark Skies Festival – led by An Lanntair in partnership with Stornoway Astronomical Society, Calanais Visitor Centre, Gallan Head Community Trust, Lews Castle College and new partner Uig Sands - will bring two weeks of arts and astronomy events to the Isle of Lewis. The 2020 festival will run from Friday, 7 February to Saturday, 22 February, with an ambitious and exciting programme spanning theatre, live music, film, visual art, food, astronomy talks, and stargazing.
Accommodation
Selkirk Arms Hotel, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway
Stargazing breaks, 29/30 November & 21/22 February 2020
Conveniently located in the south-west of Scotland near to the Galloway Forest Park, the Selkirk Arms Hotel is a great base from which to begin a Scottish stargazing adventures. It is also close to the coast and picturesque walks and cycling routes. Also serving locally-sourced delicious food, it is an ideal home from home.
The Selkirk Arms Hotel also offers Stargazing breaks to include two nights’ accommodation, food, pre-dinner drinks, an introductory talk on stargazing with a local astronomer, as well as the chance to explore the night sky at secret locations.
Price: Two-night package (dinner, bed & breakfast) is £269pp. Please see
www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk/stargazing-break for more information.
Eagle Brae Log Cabins, Beauly, Inverness-shire
Eagle Brae’s five-star cabins are set within the northern Highlands, beneath soaring mountains and amongst wild glens and vast lochs, away from light pollution, providing a great place for stargazing holidays. If the Northern Lights don’t make an appearance during a stay, there’s still a good chance of seeing the Milky Way, meteors and other astronomical delights.
The sustainable log cabins are warm and cosy with log-burning stoves and biomass boilers. They are also dog-friendly.
Priced from £1,366 for a two-person cabin for seven nights, October – December 2019. Please see www.eaglebrae.co.uk for more information and to book.
For more information on stargazing in Scotland, visit: www.visitscotland.com/stargazing
For more information on seeing the Northern Lights in Scotland, visit: www.visitscotland.com/Northernlights
Also, check out the Scotland is Out of this World Trail with links to space exploration and dark skies: www.visitscotland.com/out-of-this-world
Look to the Scottish skies for stargazing and the Northern Lights