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All the United Kingdom Scotland East Ayrshire Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

AO Edited

Scottish Dark Sky Observatory

This observatory within Europe's first dark sky park offers stunning views of the night sky.

East Ayrshire, Scotland

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Scottish Dark Sky Observatory.   DavidAstro / Atlas Obscura User
The Northern Lights, as seen from the observatory.   David Warrington/cc by 2.0
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory.   DavidAstro / Atlas Obscura User
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory.   DavidAstro / Atlas Obscura User
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory.   DavidAstro / Atlas Obscura User
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This observatory, perched atop a hill in a country known for its wet, cloudy weather, offers visitors a dazzling celestial experience. On a clear night, you’ll see bright stars speckling nearly every inch of sky. If you time your visit correctly, you may even see the Northern Lights painting the horizon in a blaze of colors.

The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is a publically accessible observatory and planetarium located on the northern edge of the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park. The dark sky park was the first in the United Kingdom and Europe.

An educational facility, its aim is to let people see the night sky without light pollution spoiling the heavens. While surrounded by such darkness, people can better learn about astronomy and the celestial world.

The observatory, built in 2012, features two telescopes that allow for detailed views of the Moon, planets, and stars, and even the more faint and distant objects in the universe. A planetarium, which facilitates views of the night sky indoors or on cloudier nights, was constructed in 2017, making the observatory worth a visit even in inclement weather.

It’s now a prized educational asset to the region. Thousands of people from across the U.K.—and the world—visit the observatory each year for a chance to see the night sky in all its dark beauty.

Related Tags

Dark Skies Astronomy Planetariums Space Observatories

Know Before You Go

All visits must be pre-booked, which you can do via the observatory's website. Evening sessions typically last 90 minutes, though they may run longer on a clear night.

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Added By

DavidAstro

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe

  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

November 5, 2018

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Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/dec/23/astronomy-galloway-dark-sky-park
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-57579980
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
Loch Doon
East Ayrshire, Scotland
United Kingdom
55.291121, -4.404795
Visit Website
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