A new £1.5 million observatory is set to be developed in the Galloway Forest Park.
The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory (SDSO) plan to transform the old visitor centre on the banks of Clatteringshaws.
The organisation has been on the lookout for a new home after their previous observatory in Dalmellington was destroyed in a fire last year, with concerns over access, utilities and security ruling out a return.
Now, thanks to a £200,000 grant from South of Scotland Enterprise, they have taken over the visitor centre from Forestry and Land Scotland, who closed the site last year, and hope to be open as early as 2026.
Board chairman, Marc Charron, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have secured the purchase of such a wonderful site on which to create a new astronomical observatory. We are determined to create an outstanding facility that will inspire people for generations to come in the wonders to behold in a truly dark night sky.”
Galloway Forest Park is Scotland’s only gold tier Dark Sky Park, having received the designation from the International Dark Sky Association in 2009.
The new observatory will feature two observing domes, each with a large telescope, a 360 degree planetarium, educational and exhibition space, a gift shop and cafe. The redeveloped site, hoped to be open by late 2026, will create a number of jobs and volunteering positions.
Interim place and enterprise director of South of Scotland Enterprise, Anthony Daye, said: “We are delighted to have supported SDSO with the purchase of the site for its new astronomical observatory.
“With the south of Scotland now the country’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone, and SOSE also launching a new space strategy this year, the development of an astronomical observatory is an example of how we can we use natural resources for the benefit of the region.
“These opportunities extend to tourism, with the planned observatory adding another visitor offering to the already fantastic tourism sector we have in the south of Scotland.”
South of Scotland Destination Alliance has been supporting the observatory group and chief executive, David Hope-Jones, said: “By attracting visitors through the shoulder and winter months, the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory will extend our visitor season, helping local businesses thrive through the more challenging months.
“In turn, this will have wider community benefit, increasing the number of year-round jobs and supporting restaurants and cafes to stay open longer.”
Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor Catherine Heymans, is set to become patron of the SDSO.
“When the clouds clear at Clatteringshaws Loch, deep within the Galloway Forest, the sky is literally teeming with stars. It’s the perfect location for the new Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, which, like a phoenix, is rising from the ashes of its much-loved predecessor, renewed as a bigger and better version of what came before.”