Sky Watching Holidays in Scotland
Sky Watching Holidays in Scotland – a guide to what you can see and the best Self Catering locations to stay
Whether you are a keen astronomer, or if you’ve barely looked at the night sky before, the dark skies of Remote Scotland, unpolluted by man made light will amaze you. Scotland’s Darkest Sky offer’s stunning night sky sights. Even with the naked eye you can witness the Orion Nebula – some 1500 light years away, our Milky Way Galaxy, and the external Andromeda Galaxy whose light has been on its way to us for about 2.5 million years.
Since the 2011 BBC program Star Gazing Live there has been a fourfold increase in people enjoying remote holiday cottage accommodation in Scotland for this purpose and the Sky is the limit with the right location. The longer you look the more stars you will see, often “70 x times” the amount seen in the towns and cities. The Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon so Shooting stars, Planets, Comets, even ‘The Aurora Borealis’ or the Northern Lights may all be visible on clear nights particularly in the North. Scotland is one of the few places where the Milky Way is unmissable with the naked eye and visible in all its glory across the whole sky.
With the aid of binoculars or a telescope the heavens open up even further with the light bearing wonders of our cosmos. The determined stargazer can experience magical astronomical events throughout the year. Some remote areas of Scotland score up to 23.6 on the Sky Quality Meter (maximum darkness scores 25) that’s more than 70 times darker than cities like Edinburgh, Manchester and London, making perfect settings for stargazing from a cosy heated Holiday Cottage Sitting Room or Conservatory
For information about The Northern Lights in Scotland please view our dedicated page
Best Places to Sky Watch in Scotland
The remote Countryside locations and Northern Coastal areas of Scotland are Best. Here is a list of our most Remote Holiday Cottages in areas where you can enjoy the clearest night skies
Cowal peninsula, Argyll and Bute Isle of Skye and the Western Isles Wester Ross and North Highlands The Beautiful Northern Coastlines
Borders loch Lomond, Trossachs Cairngorms, loch ness & Central
Cowal, Argyll and Bute
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Hot Tub Loch Eck
This truly stunning location offers cosy Log Cabin Retreats, enjoying a remote feel – yet close to all other services including the lovely 14th century Whistlefield Inn 300 yards (privately owned) and just a short walk to Loch Eck, Jubilee Point, Lochside BBQ’s and Loch Fishing. Sleeps 4 Pets welcome
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St Catherines Loch Fyne – Beautiful detached holiday cottage nestling on the banks of Loch Fyne with it’s lovely mature garden extending to the waters edge and it’s own moorings, where visitors can tie up their own boats. Shore cottage is so close to the water you actually feel within it sitting just 20 yards from the waters edge offering clear un-restricted views up, down and across Loch Fyne to Inveraray and beyond. Pets Welcome !
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Loch Sween Argyll – The old Turbine House sleeps 2. Remote Seaside Holiday Cottage on Argyll’s West Coast. This 1 Bedroom detached Holiday Cottage just a stones throw from a sandy beach and rolling west highland hills offers the Remote Holiday Hideaway. Pets Welcome
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Near Tighnabruaich Argyll – Offering an escape from Reality, Remote Detached Cottage, without central heating let alone electricity. However the cottage is beautifully constructed, maintained and insulated with thick stone walls and as much fresh mountain spring water as you need. Unlimited Fire wood is provided for the back boiler Stove and Open Fires, along with lamp oil & candles. A Gas cooker & back up heating is also provided. Pets Welcome !
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Castle Sween Estate Argyll – Beautiful Remote Seaside Holiday Cottage on Argyll’s West Coast. This spacious 3 Bedroom detached Holiday Cottage just a stones throw from a sandy beach and rolling west highland hills offers the Remote Holiday Hideaway. Pets Welcome !
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Castle Sween Estate Argyll – Remote Detached Scottish Holiday Cottage on Argyll’s West Coast, offering the Ultimate Remote Holiday Hideaway Cove Cottage is approx 1 mile from the Sea and sits within a large open garden in an elevated position with distant views of the Hills and Loch Coalisport. Perfect for Hill Walking and Wildlife Watching Holidays and families needing isolation. The West Coast of Argyll offers wonderful scenery with rocky outcrops, inlets, sandy beaches, islands and islets just crying out to be explored. Pets Welcome !
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Cowal peninsula, Argyll and Bute Isle of Skye and the Western Isles Wester Ross and North Highlands The Beautiful Northern Coastlines
Borders loch Lomond, Trossachs Cairngorms, loch ness & Central
Sutherland Ross-shire and Wester Ross
Navidale Sutherland – This unique detached character cottage enjoys stunning Sea Views with all modern self catering comforts including Conservatory Full Central Heating 2 bathrooms Sauna homely Log Fire and private outdoor Hot Tub (with Supplement). Sea View is a restored former croft cottage enjoying with a remote feel, yet less than 1 mile from Shops Inns Restaurant and sandy beaches. Sleeps 6 Pets Welcome
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The Beautiful Northern Coastlines
Dunnet Head Caithness – Far North is the most Northerly Detached Cottage on the Scottish Mainland accessed via single track tarmac road with passing places from the little hamlet of Brough. Refurbished yet retaining much of it’s original charm Far North offers very comfortable accommodation with all 21st century Luxury, Full double glazing and total control electric heating throughout. Its thick stone walls keeping out the cold winters and oppressive summer heat waves away. Sleeps 6 Pets Welcome !
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Portsoy Aberdeenshire – sleeps 6. Beautiful former fisherman’s Cottage with commanding Sea Views over looking the Harbour of the East Coast Scottish fishing village of Portsoy. Here the sea according to its unceasing tides’ rhythm calmly washes the coast. This former 18th century Scottish fisherman’s cottage has much history with it’s many original period features combined with 21st century comfort. Pets Welcome !
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Whitehills Aberdeenshire – Whale Cottage sleeps 7. Beautiful detached cottage so close to the sea you actually feel within it. Whale Cottage sits gable end onto the sea wall and at high tide the waves lap within feet of the cottage. There are sea views from most rooms and if you are lucky the odd passing whale or dolphin. Pets Welcome !
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Moray Coast – Soundwaves sleeps 8. Beautiful Shoreside Holiday Cottage on the Moray Firth with one of the best locations in Gardenstown. Named Soundwaves not only because of the sound of the waves outside the windows; but because of the worldwide hit Sailing sung by Rod Stewart was composed “inside this cottage” which enjoys uninterrupted sea views from every room. Pets Welcome
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Maryhill near Buckie – Two scandinavian Pine Log Cabins situated within working farm land, surrounded by Idyllic Scottish countryside. Offering a remote feel yet close to the Moray Firth’s Finest Beaches and picture postcard villages. at 600 feet above Sea Level the Log Cabins enjoy magnificent Sea Views over the Moray Firth and Highlands of Scotland. Sleeps 4 and 6 Sorry no Pets
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Gardenstown, Aberdeenshire – Secret retreat Log Cabin sleeping with it’s own Private Hot Tub set in deep countryside, within private grounds of 3/4 acre with stunning 360 degree picturesque views over the Aberdeenshire countryside. This stunning Log Cabin lies within 2 miles of the lovely picturesque coastal village of Gardens town and Pennan made famous for the film with Bert Lancaster The Local Hero. 1 Pet Welcome
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Gardenstown, Aberdeenshire – The Secret Hideaway Log Cabin has its own Private Hot Tub and is a truly Romantic Getaway enjoying a remote elevated Countryside location with stunning 360 degree picturesque views over the Aberdeenshire countryside, with cosy romantic self catering accommodation. The bathroom with shower cubicle, sink and W/C. The Bedroom is Luxurious, the Double bed has high quality pillows and duvet. For relaxation there is a two Seater sofa, TV/DVD and a build in country style fitted kitchen with Belfast sink. 1 Pet Welcome
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The Scottish West Highlands Isle of Skye and the Western Isles The Northern Scottish Highlands
Cowal peninsula, Argyll and Bute Isle of Skye and the Western Isles Wester Ross and North Highlands The Beautiful Northern Coastlines
Borders loch Lomond, Trossachs Cairngorms, loch ness & Central
Isles of Skye and the Western Isles
Waternish Isle of Skye – This unique detached former Croft cottage is both quirky and homely in character and enjoys the most spectacular Sea Views you could dream from both its Conservatory and private outdoor Hot Tub, with an ample enclosed garden and even it’s own babbling burn (fenced off)
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Isle of Harris – Detached Cottage in Leverburgh, sleeping up to 6 people with Open Fire and Wood Burner. Offering you cosy accommodation and spectacular open views of the North Uist Islands, the Sound of Harris and Skye. Pets Welcome !
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Cowal peninsula, Argyll and Bute Isle of Skye and the Western Isles Wester Ross and North Highlands The Beautiful Northern Coastlines
Borders loch Lomond, Trossachs Cairngorms, loch ness & Central
The Borders loch Lomond and Trossach’s
Near Aberfoyle Benview Lodges Sleeps 4 and 6. Luxury Lodges in the Trossachs overlooking the Ben Ledi hills, ideally situated for exploring the Trossachs and providing a fantastic touring base for Stirlingshire, Perthshire and the West Highlands, whilst still conveniently situated for shops and amenities. Pets Welcome
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Scottish Borders Hot Tub Retreat – Close to Biggar in the Scottish Borders this Stylish micro lodge is perfect for a romantic getaway with private hot tub and splendid views to enjoy, close to all local amenities and a wealth of attractions, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Sleeps 2 Sorry no Pets
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Cairngorms, loch ness and Central
Corrievarkie Lodge sleeps 17. Large Spacious Holiday House by Loch Ericht in the Cairngorms with Wood Stove and all Luxury’s perfect for Fishing and Large Groups Self Catering up to 17 people, offering the Great Highland Escape. Pets Welcome
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Glen Urquhart Loch Ness, sleeps 2 and 4. Luxury Log Cabins with spectacular views across lush countryside in Glen Urquhart, Loch Ness and set in the heart of the spectacular Scottish Highlands, close to world famous Loch Ness and within easy reach of a whole host of attractions, activities and amenities. Pets Welcome !
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Holiday Cottage Ballanter Aboyne Aberdeenshire – This wonderful rural cottage close to Aboyne in the Cairngorms benefits from spectacular views over the Grampians and beyond. Enjoy the two wood burners and fully enclosed mature garden, perfect for alfresco dining and star gazing.
Holiday Lodge Hot Tub Aberdeenshire – This Hideaway Lodge is a great place to spend your days relaxing in the sauna and hot tub whilst being surrounded by jaw dropping views, or pop on your walking boots and go explore the glorious countryside that surrounds you.
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