Inspiration

Our favourite places for dark sky stargazing in the wilds of Scotland

Guest Expert

5 min read

Scotland’s vast swathes of wilderness watched over by big, empty skies are some of the most sparsely populated in the UK. Free from all the light pollution you find in towns and cities you need only glance up on a clear night to witness dazzling stars in all their splendour. We’ve rounded up five places to gaze in awe at shooting stars, faraway planets, flashing meteors, the serene moon and, if you’re lucky, the ethereal aurora borealis. Wrap up warm and spend a night in the wilds of a rural National Park, a gold-standard Dark Sky Reserve or simply step onto your decking on a remote island to watch the theatrics.

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Strathspey Lodge

You’re bang in the middle of the Cairngorms National Park here, with its vast skies officially recognised as one of the starriest places in the world. Tomintoul and Glenlivet, both around half an hour from this smart, no-expense-spared house, have International Dark Sky Park status – the most northerly park of its kind in the world. Return from a late-night stargazing expedition to a warm, generous and welcoming house with lots of treats and masses of space indoors and out. The house has a wonderful flow to its design: perfect for families or groups of friends.

Guest Jemima: This is a lovely, comfortable house in a beautiful setting. We had a great week exploring the Cairngorms.

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Near Byre

This magical spot on the island is a paradise for nature lovers and foodies alike. Romance is found everywhere here, with sunset views from the sofa, and easy stargazing from the bed. You’ll find yourself cuddled by the wood burner, awash with sheepskins, and toasty warm floors to rest bare toes on. Perfect for relaxation, Near Byre’s the ideal retreat for those wanting to balance a stay connected to nature, with all the luxury, comfort – and great food you’d expect somewhere more metropolitan. If you’re searching for spots to see the night sky unfurl into its most majestic form, watch the sun dip into the sea, or simply just relax into life’s simple pleasures – this is the spot for you.

Guest James: We booked Near Byre for three nights for our first trip to Skye and couldn’t have picked anywhere more perfect. We loved sitting watching the stars go by with the log stove burning.

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The Lewis Longhouse

The Longhouse is a beautiful single-storey house with a pop-out balcony for morning coffee and evening stargazing. Inside all is polished, perfect, and flooded with light – a cool, pared-back décor in serene Scandi style. Bedrooms, bathrooms and living space seamlessly spread themselves out while glass doors glide open to a wraparound deck. Step outside on a crisp night and look up at the vast dark sky dusted with stars. You get a clear view of the Milky Way and sometimes the aurora borealis. Empty beaches abound on Lewis, as do tiny coves, there’s a farmers’ market in Stornoway, and shops in the village, a ten-minute stroll down the road.

Guest Steve: We found ourselves every evening sat wine in hand looking out of the window across the grasslands to the bay. We absolutely loved it.

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The Shorehouse

Once you’ve opened the front door, you’ll see the sea through the vast windows. You’ll hear the water lapping right up to the garden at high tide and you have 180-degree views from the covered decking area. No matter the weather, you’ve the opportunity to light the fire, open the doors, and sit out on the deck to watch at the stars trace the horizon – a perfect way to end the day. If you’re really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in winter, adding an extra layer of magic to this already enchanting retreat. A dreamy escape for those seeking a perfect blend of comfort, nature, and serenity.

Sawday’s inspector, Nicola:  A gorgeous place to stay for walkers, bird-watchers and anyone who likes to be near the sea. As soon as you are in the house you’re just facing big skies, water right up to the garden at high tide, and masses of wading birds at low tide.

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The Old Laundry, Dunalastair Estate

A sweet cottage on the vast 17,000-acre Dunalastair Estate hunkering in a wooded glen at the end of a private lane with long views of hills and mountains from every window. Step outside for spectacular dark skies on clear nights then close the shutters, light the stove and settle in. It’s all on one level, with a big four-poster and plinth-mounted tub in the studio room. Bring waterproofs to tramp the trails around Dunalastair Water and binoculars for spotting red squirrels, pine martens and ospreys. Go wild swimming on the loch, hike up Munros and down dells, play tennis on the estate.

From guest Caroline: The surrounding area is beautiful and interesting and provided us with more than we could fit into a week. The Old Laundry is a very special place.

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Explore all of our special places to stay in Scotland >

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Carmen McCormack

Guest Expert

Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.

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