Happy New Year!
We have lots of exciting events planned for 2012, kicking off with some great stargazing events in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park. We hope you will be able to make it along to some of them, bring your friends and family too!
Events coming up…
Stargazing for beginners, Kirroughtree visitor centre
Monday 23rd January 7pm – Join Forestry Commission Scotland staff on a visual tour of the Galloway Forest Park’s Dark Sky. Please wrap up very warm and bring a torch with a red filter if you have one. Cost: £3 donation to Galloway Forest Park Astronomy Society.
Dark Sky Park Trip, Glentrool – at the old school
Friday 27th January 6.30 – 9.30pm. Join Forestry Commission Scotland staff for a great evening in the UK’s only Dark Sky Park & Scotlands first dark sky friendly street light village.
Buffet, talk and if weather permits, stargazing in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park!
Transport from Castle Douglas available at 5.30pm then picking up at Gatehouse 5.50pm, Creetown 6.05pm and Newton Stewart 6.15pm.
Charges – £17 including transport, £10 on the door. Booking essential in both cases. Ticket price includes food, talk/s and transport (if required) Places are likely to go fast so book and pay for your space now on 01671 402 420.
Starlight Serenade, Kirroughtree visitor centre
Tuesday 14th February 7pm-8pm, Stuck for Valentines day gift ideas? Dazzel your darling and Join Forestry Commission Staff for an introduction to the UK’s only Dark Sky Park and an evening wander across our night sky. Please wrap up very warm and bring a torch with a red filter if you have one. Cost: £3 donation to Galloway Forest Park Astronomy Society.
Stargazing for beginners, Kirroughtree visitor centre
Thursday 16th February 7pm – Join Forestry Commission Scotland staff on a visual tour of the Galloway Forest Park’s Dark Sky. Please wrap up very warm and bring a torch with a red filter if you have one. Cost: £3 donation to Galloway Forest Park Astronomy Society.
Most of these events are weather dependant (with the exception of the Dark Sky Park Trip) so please call us on the day if the weather forecast looks bad 01671 402420
The night sky as seen in Galloway Forest Park, which has been awarded ‘dark skies’ status. Photograph: PR
A vast stretch of forest in south-west Scotland boasting unrivalled views of the millions of stars in the galaxy was today named as one of the best places in the world to stargaze.
Galloway Forest Park, a 300 square mile tract of conifer forests and hills, became one of the first places outside the US to be given status as a“dark skies park” by astronomers at the International Dark Skies Association.
Martin Morgan-Taylor, the International Dark Skies Association’s British board member, said the park’s remoteness from the light pollution of large towns meant night clouds were darker than the night sky.
“The dark sky park concept is really about restoring and protecting the night sky,” he said. “It’s an award for effort and commitment as much as its quality as a dark sky.”
The accessibility of Galloway Forest Park to amateur astronomers and visitors living in northern England, central Scotland and Northern Ireland – the ferry port of Stranraer is close by – meant it was able to promote astronomy and the dark skies ethos more effectively than far more remote areas of Britain, he said.
“It’s going to be beautiful and an incredible educational tool,” he added.
There are lots of wonderful places to stay in Southern Scotland
If you would like more information about this area or to book accommodation in Southern Scotland please visit our main website at Holiday Southern Scotland
