The clarity of the night sky in Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park is unrivalled. Set in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway, the park’s remote location allows for exceptionally dark night skies that very few people can witness.
The Galloway Forest Park was designated as a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association in 2009, and it’s easy to see why. The lack of light pollution makes the Galloway Dark Sky Park one of the best places for stargazing in the UK.
Highlights of the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park
We’ll cover the highlights you should consider adding to your to-do list while visiting the UK’s largest forest park.
Go Stargazing in Galloway Forest
South West Scotland is home to beautiful forests, and there’s no better way to experience them than stargazing through Galloway Forest. There are signs posted that help budding astronomers on what constellations to look out for and where to stop for the best views.
You can see not only the massive star clusters that are usually hidden from us but the bright band of the Milky Way too!
Listen to a podcast along the Galloway Nature Trail
If you don’t have the right equipment for stargazing, that’s okay! Simply hiking through the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park during sunset and twilight hours will give more than enough appreciation for the clear, dark skies above.
Constellation-watching is easy to do while you’re on the go, and we recommend listening to forestandland.gov.uk’s information-stargazing podcast for a more informed trek through the nature trails underneath the stars.
Stop by one of the Visitor Centres
The Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park has three visitor centres (Clatteringshaws Loch, Kirroughtree, and Glentrool) – each an excellent spot to stop, relax, and grab a bite to eat. You can also request one of the beautiful guided tours from the Dark Sky Rangers. They are more than willing to take you through the forest park and provide insightful information as you navigate the nature trails.
You can also stop by and enjoy one of the stargazing events at the Kirroughtree Visitor Centre, which uses the clear skies to give guests an experience they will never forget!
Accommodation
Galloway Forest is a prime spot for visitors who want to stay amongst the pollution-free landscape, with unique options for camping, glamping, and self-catering! There’s quite a bit to explore, and we recommend looking around for the type of accommodation that suits you best.
Outside the park, travellers can choose from bustling towns like Newton Stewart, Castle Douglas, and Girvan for an ample selection of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and self-catering. We recommend reading through our Dumfries and Galloway accommodation pages for a curated list if you want further information!
Things to Do Nearby
Galloway Forest Park is filled to the brim with things to do! If you want to pair an evening of stargazing with attraction the next day, you won’t have to go far. Attractions within Galloway Forest Park, like Bruce’s Stone, Rosie’s Waterfall, and the Red Deer Range, complement a night of staring at the stars.
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