New Scottish Dark Sky Observatory plans in Galloway approved
Published on March 3, 2026.
Plans for a new Scottish Dark Sky Observatory (SDSO) in Galloway have been approved, replacing the old one destroyed by fire. The new site will see the conversion and extension of the former Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) visitor centre at the new location of Clatteringshaws near New Galloway. The SDSO completed the purchase of the visitor centre in November 2024, backed by funding from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE). The £1.5m observatory will be built in Dumfries and Galloway with two observing domes. The aim is to create a unique educational asset and visitor attraction based on the Dark Sky Park designation by the Galloway Forest in 2009.
Related Articles
Rare glass from 6-million-year-old meteorite strike found in Brazil — but the crater is still missing
A new tektite field in Brazil's Minas Gerais, containing numerous distinct strewn fields of rare, melting glass formed from meteorite impacts, is described as “geraisites."
Scientists Accidentally Discovered a Brand-New Species of Living Fossil
Scientists discovered a new, armored chiton species, A. feroxa, which they suspect may be a subspecies, with potential for further discoveries.
A Zone Under Antarctica Has the Weakest Gravity on Earth—and It’s Evolving, Scientists Say
The gravity hole under East Antarctica, formed 70 million years ago by convection, is slowly evolving due to inconsistent gravity and mantle dynamics, causing unpredictable climate change.