Stargazing in the Cairngorms

With low light pollution and vast dark skies, the Scottish Highlands is recognised as one of the best places in the world to stargaze. The Tomintoul and Glenlivet area in the Cairngorms National Park has been awarded the prestigious status of ‘International Dark Sky Park’ making it the most northerly park of its kind in the world and among the darkest of skies in the UK!

Whether you’re a novice star spotter, or an experienced astronomer, stargazing is an awe-inspiring experience for all. The three Dark Sky Discovery Sites within the Glenlivet Estate provide the ideal spots for gazing into the night sky!

Parking and interpretation can be found at Field of Hope, by Tomintoul, The Carrachs in the Braes of Glenlivet and Blairfindy Moor. A network of waymarked paths through the Glenlivet Estate will guide you to the many vantage points where you can clear your mind and be at one with astronomy - you may even be lucky enough to see the ‘Mirrie Dancers’ – the Scottish name for the aurora.

The estate is less than an hour’s drive from each of our properties, and well worth the journey. Closer to your Love Cairngorms home, you can enjoy the night skies from the comfort of your garden - each of our properties benefits from a fire pit and seating area in the outside spaces so you can grab a mulled, cosy up and count your lucky stars!

Dark Skies Project

Through the Dark Skies Project, and the support of the Tomintoul & Glenlivet Landscape Partnership, volunteers are working with farms, distilleries, Moray Council and households to reduce light pollution through promoting environmentally responsible lighting. This will bring many benefits to wildlife, energy consumption and human health as well as preserving the beauty of the night sky.

To find out more, visit https://www.cairngormsdarkskypark.org/

*banner photo credit: Sven Brandsma @seffen99