Galloway was awarded Dark Sky Park status back in 2009 and was the first in the UK. So, what is a Dark Sky Park? As the title suggests, you gain this status if you have exceptionally dark night skies. The communities in Galloway have worked very hard to minimise light pollution so that we can all enjoy the wonders of the night sky. The area covered by Dark Skies has a low population, which helps, and it covers a massive 300 square miles of forest and hills, so nights really are black and the stars really shine through when the skies are clear of cloud.
Everyone visiting benefits from our Dark Skies status. All you need to do is look up and take in over 7,000 stars and planets visible with the naked eye and the bright band of the Milky Way is usually easy to see arching across the sky. Sit outside your holiday lodge with the lights out and just enjoy the show.
The Scottish Dark Sky observatory is less than an hour from Barstobrick close to Loch Doon, off the A731, near Dalmellington in Ayrshire. Book an experience here to discover more about the night sky.