Scotland has some of the best ‘dark skies’ in the world with vast swathes of the country living without the glare of artificial street lights.
Head into deep country, into the hills and to the islands – pandemic permitting, of course – and get close to the wonders of the universe. We look at 10 of the country’s best ‘dark sky’ spots, many which have been internationally recognised for their glorious star gazing potential.
. Shooting The Stars
Parts of The Cairngorms have been designated a Dark Sky Park. Photo: Myrddin Irwin
. Glenlivet ,The Cairngorms
Feel on the edge of the world in the Tomintoul and Glenlivet - Cairngorms Dark Sky Park where one of the country's last wildernesses will provide the perfect backdrop to a night with the stars. Photo: David Newland
. The Isle of Coll
Coll is the only island in the UK to be named an International Dark Sky Community. The Coll Bunkhouse runs ‘Coll and the Cosmos’ astronomical adventures, with the next one due to take place in early March 2021, pandemic permitting. Photo: Cosmos Planetarium
. The Isle of Lewis
The joy of astronomy on the islands has been brought together by the Hebridean Dark Skies Festival, which is set to return in Februrary 2021 when An Lanntair in Stornoway will fuse star gazing with a programme of music, film and storytelling to bring the wonders of the universe a little closer. Photo: Scott Davidson
5. Abriachan Forest, Loch Ness
The woodland was named a Dark Sky Discovery site given its "very clear views" of the Milky Way galaxy. The designation was given following a campaign by scientist, astronomer and mathematician Stephen Mackintosh. Photo: Stephen Mackintosh/www.modulouniverse.com
6. The Lecht, The Cairngorms
For the full pure experience of a night under the stars , take a tent and get close to a different galaxy. The Lecht can offer up perfect, dark conditions for the ultimate space watching. Photo: Myrddin Irwin
7. Loch Cluanie, Highland
With low levels of artificial light recorded over most of the north west Highlands, clear, starlit nights, like this one at Loch Cluanie at Glen Shiel, are not hard to find. Photo: VisitScotland/Paul Tomkins
8. Clatteringshaws Loch, Dumfries and Galloway
Clatteringshaws Loch sits in the darkest spot of the Galloway Forest Park, the first Dark Sky Park in the UK and the fourth in the world, with a particularly dramatic stellar show usually on offer from the visitor centre here. Photo: DAVID N. ANDERSON