DARK SKIES TOURS

Due to low levels of artificial light, from October to March our clear starlit dark skies of the Cairngorms National Park have few rivals for these natural phenomena.

Stunning night skies with easy access allowing everyone a chance for a view not to be missed.

The Cairngorms Dark Sky Park, created in 2018 is only the second to be established in Scotland. and the worlds most northerly. It has several easily accessible viewing sites dotted around Tomintoul and Glenlivet. Tomintoul, recognised as the heighest village in the Highlands, is only a 30 minute drive from Grantown, so long as the ‘Snow Road’ is not closed for access in the depths of winter. The Cairngorms offer great vantage points for guests to view the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and all just a short walk from our transport.

Milky Way

More Locations…

Another popular location for stargazers is along the Moray Firth. There’s a large choice: Nairn, Forres, Findhorn, Burghead and Lossiemouth, all within easy reach of your accommodation in the Cairngorms National Park. These locations give the added atmosphere of looking out over the black void of the Moray Firth, blending in the horizon with the inky black night sky, hopefully illuminated with green streaks of the Northern Lights.

You will have time to dabble with astrophotography, so bring your own equipment to view and photograph some amazing shots. Reasonable pictures nowadays can even be taken with mobile phones.

CAIRNGORMS DARK SKY PARK

To Infinity and Beyond!

Grantown is an ideal base for stargazing and viewing the Northern Lights

Suitable For All

These tours are suitable for families, first timers and those wishing to expand their knowledge of astronomy further.

Subject to the weather conditions and cloud cover, in the evening, I’ll arrange to collect you from your aaccommodation and either visit a Dark Sky location in the Cairngorms National Park or Moray Firth. Allowing for approximately 30-45 minutes for travel, on location I’ll help you identify the constellations, planets and other visible objects for that particular time of year

Don’t forget to wrap up warm in these cold winter nights and remember they are natural phenomenon and therefore viewing cannot be guaranteed, but I do hope you experience looking into the heavens for a dramatic stellar show.

Equipment Required:

  • Good pair of binoculars

  • DSLR Camera- you don’t need top of the range, but one that is good ata high ISO

  • Wide angle lens-the wider the better and preferably a wide maximum aperture f2.8 or better

  • Mobile phone with night setting

  • Sturdy tripod

  • Cable release for star trails

  • Warm clothing

  • Patience

Great Feedback

Always good to hear what people think about my tours!

  • “In spite of intermittent cloud cover, John gave us a great couple of hours of sights and information on a dark skies tour. We enjoyed his facts and company very much, not least the hot chocolate and biscuits warm up.”

    V. Harvey

  • “Despite initial misty conditions and light cloud cover, it was worth persevering as the night sky revealed itself. John pointed out Jupiter, various constellations as well as the Milky Way. Unfortunately no Northern Lights. John also advised on night sky photos, both on mobile phones and on SLR cameras and we got some great shots. I would recommend your tours to others.”

    K.Rawles