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Scotland’s best dark sky stays

Written by Lucy Paul
An image of Culzean Castle taken at night from the beach. The sky is full of stars.
Culzean Castle | image: Visit Scotland West, Ben Bush
Do you want to escape the bright city lights? Well, Scotland has some of the darkest skies in Europe. With the Trust, you can stay in holiday accommodation cared for by us that offer incredible stargazing opportunities.

Every stay at a Trust-owned holiday property contributes to our vital conservation work. With your support, we can ensure that these places remain open to everyone and that you can return to your favourite properties again and again.

Whether you fancy a thatched croft stay on Skye, a cosy stay near Melrose, or a lodge right on the edge of Galloway Forest Park (one of the best stargazing spots in the UK), we have something for everyone.

An image of a cliff side taken at night with the northern lights in the sky

Highlands and Islands

 Beaton’s Croft House

  • Sleeps 2
  • Shop 6 miles, pub 4.5 miles

Check availability and book now.

The Trust has lovingly restored this thatched croft.

No distractions, just you and a sky full of stars. The area has almost zero light pollution, making it ideal for spotting constellations and even the odd shooting star.

Some top stargazing spots nearby:
•    Neist Point – A lighthouse, dramatic cliffs, and a sky full of stars - what more could you want?
•    Kinloch Forest – A peaceful, remote location for serious stargazers.

A small thatched cottage with mountains surrounding it
Beaton’s Croft House

Stay near Melrose 

Melrose is a great choice if you enjoy stargazing but also want the comforts of a small town nearby. 

Harmony House 

  • Sleeps 15
  • Shop and pub 0.2 miles

Check availability and book now.

This 19th-century eight-bedroom dwelling, located in the peaceful Harmony Garden in Melrose, is an eclectic mix of period detail with contemporary comfort.

A tiled entrance hall with a sofa, and two statues of dogs on either side of the door leading into the main house.
Harmony House

Harmony Cottage 

  • Sleeps 4
  • Shop and pub 0.2 miles

Check availability and book now.

A peaceful dwelling with its own small paved private garden. It boasts views over Melrose Abbey (a majestic 14th-century ruin) and the famous stargazing spot Eidon Hills. The town centre and Priorwood Garden are only a short walk from the cottage.

A two-storey white cottage with a red-tiled roof and red window frames. Small shrubs grow in front of the house in a patio area.
Harmony Cottage

Pear Cottage

  • Sleeps 2
  • Shop and pub 0.1 mile

Check availability and book now.

This first-floor apartment, resting above a local craft shop, is a scenic spot for two adventure seekers.

While the gardens are best explored by day, the surrounding Borders region has some of the darkest skies in the country. Melrose is an ideal base if you want to do a bit of everything, such as history, hiking, and, of course, epic stargazing. 

A two-storey stone brick house with outside stairs leading to a door on the first floor. A shop occupies the ground floor.
Pear Cottage

Stay near Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries & Galloway

Galloway Forest Park is the first official Dark Sky Park in the UK, meaning it’s one of the best places in the UK to see the Milky Way.

An image taken at night features a stone formation to the left and trees in the background. The night sky is full of stars.

Auchenvhin

  • Sleeps 8
  • Shop 1.5 miles, pub 4.3 miles

Check availability and book now.

A spacious and stylish lodge in Rockcliffe. With room for up to eight people, it’s perfect for families or friend groups who want a mix of outdoor adventures and cosy nights by the fire. 

An open plan kitchen dining area
Auchenvhin

Gate Lodge 

  • Sleeps 5
  • Shop 1.6 miles, pub 1.5 miles

Check availability and book now.

A 19th-century sandstone lodge at the entrance of Threave Estate, Gate Lodge is a traditional holiday home ideal for exploring Dumfries and Galloway. The region features an undulating coastline of rocky shoreline and sandy beaches, the UK’s first Dark Sky Park, and an abundance of outdoor activities and cultural attractions.

A two-storey gatehouse with decorative white eaves and a porch stands beside a driveway. Tall trees grow behind..
Gate Lodge

Saltflats Cottage

  • Sleeps 4
  • Shop 1.5 miles, pub 4.3 miles

Check availability and book now.

Resting in the heart of Rockcliffe, near the attractive country town of Dalbeattie in Kirkcudbrightshire, Saltflats Cottage is a two-bedroom cottage with stunning sea views. It is ideal for a family or group of friends seeking to explore all that this region has to offer.

A dining room with the table set, features a fireplace to the right.
Saltflats Cottage

Glen Cottage

  • Sleeps 6
  • Shop 2.6 miles, pub 3.4 miles

Check availability and book now.

Located at the foot of Torridon, Glen Cottage offers the perfect setting for adventures among the peaks and Munros, from exploring unique wildlife habitats to stargazing in the dark skies.

A white cottage with green painted windows and door sits at the back of a lawn with mountains in the background, trees either side and blue sky with wispy clouds above.
Gen Cottage

Culzean Castle & Country Park, Ayrshire

Our eight holiday accommodations at Culzean are ideal for groups of friends or families looking for a stunning getaway in Scotland, especially great for stargazing.

Check availability for all accommodation at Culzean and book now.

Expand image 1: A single storey stone house with a stone wall and green lawn in front. Expand image 2: A bright living room with a log burning stove, grey sofa and arm chairs, side lights, a rug and an ottoman and a window with tarn curtains on the back wall. Expand image 3: A blonde sandstone clocktower attached to other buildings, with a cobbled courtyard in front of it. Expand image 4: A blonde sandstone castle Expand image 5: A view of a single-storey stone cottage that stands just beside the beach at Culzean. A small strip of grass runs between the cottage and the shoreline. Expand image 6: A small stone cottage with a pretty dormer window in the tiled roof stands at the edge of a cobbled courtyard. Views out to sea and along the Ayrshire coastline can be seen beside the cottage. A wooden bench rests beside the front door. Expand image 7: A long, single-storey white cottage with a grey tiled roof stands above a sandy beach. Expand image 8: A wooden cabin with a grey tile roof is surrounded by a green lawn and patio area. A garden table and chairs are set out on the patio, in front of the large patio doors. Trees are in the background.
This is a view looking up at the night sky, which is full of stars, with some treetops at the bottom of the image.

Bunkhouses

We also offer economical, basic accommodation for larger groups at five of our properties, ideally located for exploring Scotland’s great outdoors. Ben Lomond, Kintail and Mol Mor bunkhouses are good spots for dark skies.

Loch Lomond is often cited as one of the top places in Scotland for dark skies, and with Ben Lomond bunkhouse nestled near its shores, it makes a great place for groups of 10 to get together.

Kintail Outdoor Centre in Morvich is ideal for stargazing. It’s far enough from civilisation not to have any light pollution, and the stunning mountain silhouettes will take your breath away.

Mol Mor bunkhouse, situated beside the shores of Loch Torridon, offers spectacular night skies and comfortable group accommodation.

Expand image 1: A two-storey bunkhouse with a slate roof stands in woodland, with a hillside rising behind. Expand image 2: Kintail Outdoor Centre surrounded by the hills at Kintail. Expand image 3: A white-walled house with a black roof. There is a concrete yard in front of the house, and beyond the roof there is a mountain.

Why Stargazing in Scotland?

Scotland’s very remote areas and low light pollution make it one of the best places in the world for stargazing. On a clear night, you can see hundreds of stars, the Milky Way, and even (if you’re lucky) the Northern Lights.

Top tips for stargazing

  • Move as far away from any light source as possible, even if it just means going behind a wall.
  • Give your eyes up to 20 minutes to adapt to the darkness; be patient, as the longer you wait, the more details you’ll notice.
  • For the best stargazing experience, lie down if the ground is dry; consider bringing a picnic blanket or a reclining camping chair.
  • While you’ll need a torch, opt for a red beam, like a rear bike light, instead of your phone or a regular torch, as it will have less impact on your night vision.
  • Your eyes can pick up a lot, but using a telescope or binoculars can enhance your view of the moon and star clusters.
  • The northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, are often captured better in photos or videos than seen with the naked eye, so take some pictures but also take time to appreciate the experience.

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Take a well-earned break with us, and enjoy Scotland at its glorious, vibrant and tranquil best!

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