Not Signposted From Any Road

The world's first large public use observatory within a gold tier Dark Sky Park was officially opened today at Craigengillan Estate, Dalmellington, by the Rt. Hon Alex Salmond MSP, First Minister of Scotland.

Its location, on the edge of the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, set up in 2009 by Forestry Commission Scotland, means that it enjoys some of the darkest skies in the world; the park itself being one of only ten in the world to be recognised by the International Dark-sky Association. Countless stars, the Milky Way, shooting stars, planets, comets and the Northern Lights are all visible from the area.

The 5m dome of the observatory was especially designed and air-freighted over from Australia and features a rotating, retractable roof to enable night time viewing from the magnificent state-of-the-art robotic telescope.

"It is situated in one of only five gold tier dark sky parks in the world, and is the only public use observatory in a sky park anywhere in the world.

20" Corrected Dall Kirkham telescope in a 5 metre dome, which can be operated from either of two control rooms, and a roll-off-roof observatory with soon to be installed 14" Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope for a more hands-on, out in the open observing experience.

It also features a multi-purpose lecture room, served by a WC and kitchen and an "outdoor classroom" in the form of an elevated observing deck from which to enjoy the experience of naked-eye observation. Facilities will be provided for amateur astronomers to set up their own equipment and have access to the WC and kitchen amenities.