Skip to content

New Scottish Dark Sky Observatory plans submitted

Giancarlo RinaldiSouth Scotland reporter
News imageMarc Charron A brightly lit observatory building beneath a swirling starry skyMarc Charron
A lengthy search was undertaken to find a site to replace the old facility near Dalmellington

Plans for a new Scottish Dark Sky Observatory (SDSO) have been submitted more than four years after the old one was destroyed by fire.

They would see the conversion and extension of the former Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) visitor centre at Clatteringshaws near New Galloway.

A return to the previous location near Dalmellington was ruled out due to poor accessibility, lack of utilities and security concerns.

Now plans have been lodged for a £1.5m observatory in Dumfries and Galloway made up of two observing domes - each with a large telescope.

News imageMarc Charron The smouldering remaids of a building stand on tarmac in the middle of a tree-lined country sceneMarc Charron
The old building was destroyed by fire in 2021

The old observatory was destroyed in a "devastating fire" on 23 June 2021.

"The entire UK astronomy community was shaken by the loss of an outstanding educational and tourism facility," said a design statement submitted with the planning application to Dumfries and Galloway Council.

After exploring a wide variety of options, the SDSO completed the purchase of the visitor centre - backed by funding from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) - in November 2024.

The site - which enjoys views over Clatteringshaws Loch - is considered ideal for the new facility.

News imageSteven Tsang A wooden-fronted observatory building on snowy ground underneath a very starry skySteven Tsang
A return to the old site was ruled out for a variety of reasons

It will include a 360 degree planetarium as well as a gift shop and small cafe.

The aim is to create a unique educational asset and visitor attraction which capitalises on the Dark Sky Park designation secured by the Galloway Forest in 2009 - the first of its kind in the UK.

That, in turn, should provide economic benefits for the community in the area.

It will be up to the council to decide whether or not the proposals can go ahead.

News imageDaniel Wilcox Photography A gathering of white buildings next to a large loch with hills in the backgroundDaniel Wilcox Photography
The new site sits near to Clatteringshaws Loch