Dark Sky Ranger

Stargazing Experiences

We’ve teamed up with Matthew, a Galloway forest Dark Sky Ranger to offer some special stargazing experiences. Stay in our luxury glamping pod, and learn all about the night sky, with practical experiments, stories and facts. View the planets. the milky way or the moon’s craters with the use of professional astronomy binoculars. We can also offer you photography tuition during your stay, with Mark being on hand to teach you how to create stunning astrophotography images of the Milky Way. Who knows you might capture a shooting star or an image of the Northern Lights to take home with you.

We offer these on specific dates of the year, usually during an astrological event such as a meteor shower, full moon or a comet pass. You will have full use of our glamping pod and facilities on site during your stay. So you can relax and unwind in the peace and quiet by day, and once the stars come out the dark sky tour commences. Matthew will guide you through the night sky with stories and facts about the constellations, and practical experiments that help you get a sense of our place in the universe. His tour will last for around 2.5 hours. Leaving you to then gaze up at the stars with your newfound knowledge of the night sky, and stories to tell your friends when you get home.

What might you see?

  • The planets Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Mars

  • The Milky Way galaxy and Andromeda galaxy

  • Our own moon in fine detail

  • Constellations such as Orion, Draco and Leo

  • Shooting stars and meteors

  • The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

  • If your really lucky, a comet pass

What’s included?

  • 2 nights accommodation in a luxury glamping pod

  • Your very own dark sky tour

  • Photography tuition (added extra)

  • Use of astronomy binoculars

  • Firewood for the wood stove and outdoor fire pit

  • All bedding supplied for the pod

Who’s it for?

Our pod sleeps four people, with a queen size bed and corner sofa bed. So these dark sky tours are perfect for family groups, a group of friends or a couple wanting to experience the wonder of the night sky, all whilst staying in our luxury, warm glamping pod.

Astrophotography Tuition

If you would like photography tuition during your stay, we can add this to your booking and tailor a bespoke photography course based on your specific requirements. Whether you’re a complete amateur, or have some photography knowledge but want to branch into astrophotography, we can help out.

What do our dark sky tours cost?

1 or 2 people £??????
3 or 4 people £??????

Photography tuition
£80 extra per person

See below for upcoming dates

18th and 19th April 2025 - The Lyrids meteor shower
2nd and 3rd May 2025 - Eta Aquarids meteor shower
25th and 26th July 2025 - Delta Aquarids meteor shower
17th and 18th October 2025 - Orionids meteor shower
14th and 15th November 2025 - Leonids meteor shower

About The Dark Sky Ranger

Matthew has been fascinated by space ever since watching the Apollo 14 moon landings as a child. In 2015 he was appointed as a Dark Sky Ranger by Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Bioshere. He leads tours in and around Galloway Forest dark sky park, and further afield. Teaching people about our place in the solar system, with fascinating stories, facts and interactive experiments. Giving people a chance to view the wonders of the night sky through astro binoculars.

We have teamed with him to give you an interactive, informative and fun stargazing experience.

https://darkskyranger.co.uk/