Scotland's Best Stargazing Spots

With its showcase of glimmering constellations and peppering of star-stamped skies, Scotland at night is a dream. Home to the UK’s first ever Dark Sky Park and a string of Dark Sky Discovery Sites, Scotland hosts some of Europe’s darkest canvases. Count your lucky stars with our guide to the most spellbinding Scottish stargazing hotspots.

1. Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park

Forest, Park

As the UK’s first ever Dark Sky Park, the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park plays host to the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, a stargazing hotspot open to all avid astronomers. This gold-tier status park comes in at 23.6 out of 25 on the International Dark Sky Association’s scale of darkness. The observatory is decked out with two colossal telescopes and a rolling roof perfect for witnessing wonders like the Whirlpool galaxy. Just look up — the party of meteor showers and celestial masterpieces will do the talking.

2. The Moray Coast

The areas punctuating Moray are graced with an outpouring of stars that dance like little angel eyes amidst the wondrous coal-black canvases. It’s almost as though some otherworldly being spilled an entire tin of stars across the newly polished black marble floor. SIGMA, the Moray Astronomy Club, is a hotbed of equipment with all the mod cons to help accentuate the stargazing experience.

The Moray Coast, Scotland

Less Trails, More Stars, Scotland | © grayeme/Flickr

3. Isle of Skye

Imbued with the kind of beauty only Mother Nature can conjure up, there’s nothing like experiencing the stars of Skye in all their glory. Strategically positioned in a place lacking light pollution and conveniently marked, bonnie Skye boasts nine epic Dark Sky Discovery Sites, each as spellbinding as the next. Think swatches of jet-black skies hosting strings upon strings of twinkling fairy lights, planets, space satellites and the silvery man we call the moon. Anyone dreaming of a stargazing holiday is in for a treat.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

Starry Night In Skye | © john mcsporran/Flickr

5. Isle of Coll

Stars Over Isle Of Coll and Isle Of Mull

As a recognised Dark Sky Island, Coll is graced with a naturally unpolluted sky, made all the more glorious by the star-conscious residents who go above and beyond to maintain the enviable Dark Sky status. With no street lights and a commendable collective conscience, Coll is also Scotland’s first Dark Sky Community. Marvel at the endless abyss of deep sky objects that reveal themselves to the naked eye, just as they can delight in star clusters like Beehive, nebulae like the Great Orion Nebula and the resplendent band of the Milky Way. Adding to Coll’s otherworldly appeal is the ‘Coll and Cosmos’ astronomical adventure weekend breaks.

Isle Of Coll, Scotland

Stars Over Isle Of Coll and Isle Of Mull

6. Moffat

A wee beauty of a star-adorned spot, Moffat takes the crown as a Dark Sky Town. Located in Dumfries & Galloway, this charming place maintains its swoon-worthy status thanks to a supply of ‘dark sky friendly’ street lighting, which helps keep the light pollution at bay. When the silver-kissed stars blanketing Moffat come out to play, there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.

Moffat, Dumfries, Scotland

Scottish Spring Camping

7. Glen Nevis

Glen Nevis is another one of Scotland’s many designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites. Between the handy visitor centre, endless car parking options and wonderfully rugged terrain, the entire glen equates to a mecca for astronomy doyens. The encompassing inky-black skies are only rivaled by the ever-watchful mountains that tower nearby. But the real star is the giant carpet of majestic constellations that dance and glitter in 3D, reminding you that you’re only human.

Glen Nevis, Fort William, Scotland

Milky Way Over Buachaille Etive Mhor | © john mcsporran / Flickr

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.