Scotland's Best Stargazing Spots

Milky Way Over Buachaille Etive Mhor
Milky Way Over Buachaille Etive Mhor
Tori Chalmers

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

Stars Above The Forest
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.

Culture Trip Summer Sale

Save up to $1,395 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

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