Galloway Forest Park – not far from Serenity 22 Barend – was designated the first Dark Sky Park in the UK by the International Dark-Sky Association. In 2009 it was only the fourth in the world; there are now over 100 worldwide. It’s a Gold Tier park for its dark skies which make for breathtaking and rare stargazing conditions.
A Dark Sky Park is a place with exceptionally dark night skies, where there’s a commitment to control light pollution.
Very few people live within the boundaries of Galloway Forest Park, so there’s very little light pollution and the nights are extra clear.
The region covers 300 square miles that are protected from light pollution. Thousands more stars are visible compared to a typical town or city.
You can see over 7,000 stars and planets with the naked eye, including the Milky Way stretching across the sky. There’s a new show every night as we travel round the sun and get a constantly changing view of the stars.
Where to Stargaze
On a clear night you’ll get a really good view of the stars from the lodge balcony. However, for even darker skies, visit any of the three Forestry and Land Scotland visitor centres which overlook the unlit heart of Galloway Forest Park:
- Clatteringshaws (33 miles ~50 min DG7 3SQ),
- Kirroughtree (43 miles ~1 hour DG8 7BE) and
- Glentrool (55 miles ~1h 15 mins DG8 6SZ).
See Stargazing in Galloway Dark Sky Park for other places to stargaze.
Learn From a Dark Skies Expert
Also check out the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve website.
A Biosphere is a special designation awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). It means that Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere has been recognised internationally as a world class environment for people and nature.
The freelance Biosphere Guides include the brilliantly named “Dark Sky Rangers”. The rangers are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the Galloway sky. You can book directly with them, or attend one of their events at various locations in the Galloway Forest Park.
We also enjoyed a visit to Kirkcudbright Dark Space Planetarium, read about it here.
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