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
Far North Cottage Dunnet Head Caithness – Far North Cottage sleeps 6. This unique former Croft Cottage with large enclosed garden is the furthest North Detached Cottage on the Scottish mainland, enjoying spectacular open views of the Pentland firth, Scapa flow and Orkney Isles. This Beautiful cottage enjoys many luxuries including optional extra Hot Tub (£100 supplement) en-suite master bedroom, bathroom with observation skylight windows, 2 person Jacuzzi bath, Sauna and Free WIFI. Also front Conservatory for clear Sea, Night Sky and Eagle Watching. Full Electric heating, Coal / Wood Stove, further family bathroom with Jacuzzi bath. All bedrooms all with tv / dvd. This cottage forms the perfect base for exploring Caithness, Sutherland, the North Coast, Cape Wrath and Orkney. Pets Welcome
Enjoying magnificent sea views and wood burner, this stylish Scottish Cottage is perfect for cosy nights in, and a large fully enclosed beautiful mature garden with seating, ideal for al fresco dining. Sleeps 8 Sorry no Pets
This lovely self catering apartment enjoys a central location within Cullen, Aberdeenshire, a popular coastal tourist destination on the Moray coast. With stunning, untouched coastlines and sandy beaches to explore, lovers of the outdoors will be in their element. Sleeps 2, Pets Welcome
This absolutely charming whitewashed cottage occupies a slightly elevated location which allows for stunning sea views. The cottage is located on a private estate in the remote and scenic north Highlands of Scotland just off the famous North Coast 500 route.
Sea View Holiday Cottage Portsoy – Stay in this traditional cottage by Findochty Harbour has amazing sea views. A perfect base for a couple, family or friends to explore, relax and enjoy a holiday on the beautiful scenic Moray Firth Coast.
Moray Firth Waterside Cottage Hot Tub – Perched on the Shores of the Moray Firth this stylish detached Lodge with private hot tub and BBQ hut with seating area. Enjoys spectacular sea views towards Inverness, Kessock Bridge and the Black Isle, perfect for gatherings of friends and family.
Self Catering Holiday Cottage Banff Whitehills – This Charming cosy romantic self catering retreat is close to the sea shore. Close to Cullen near Whitehills the cottage nestled in a peaceful private setting benefiting from sea views from the side garden, within a short stroll to a beautiful sandy beach
Orkney Island Holiday Cottages – This stylish Orkney Island Holiday Cottages enjoys wonderful views and comfortable, contemporary interior. Situated in the heart of Kirkwall, only a short walk from several bars, restaurants, shops and the harbour.
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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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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Resting on the delightful Isle of Skye is this traditional Scottish Island croft Cottage with Stunning Mountain Views, ideal for a serene holiday cottage getaway for a small family. Sleeps 4, Pets Welcome
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
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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Enjoying views over the Eden and Tweed Valleys to the Cheviot Hills, this fabulous wilderness self catering retreat offers the perfect cosy Hot Tub Lodge holiday for couples and small families with superb surrounding views set within organic farm, in the heart of the Scottish Borders. Sleeps 4, Sorry no Pets
Cairngorms, loch ness and Central
River Deveron Fishing Holidays – Set within verdant, mature gardens, this sizeable Scottish holiday home overlooks the River Deveron and is an excellent base for fishing, walking and enjoying the very best of Aberdeenshire. Enjoy the natural beauty of this riverside self catering home which sleeps up to 13 guests. Spend quality time together in its calm and sophisticated accommodation. Sleeps 13 Pets Welcome
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Perched high above the magical Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands, this superb country holiday cottage basks in the natural beauty of its sprawling surrounds and offers the most wonderful Loch Views and self catering retreat for the wild-at-heart. Sleeps 4, Sorry no Pets
A traditional farmhouse self catering holiday cottage near Fort William, with outstanding views over Ben Nevis and the surrounding mountains. This gorgeous farmhouse is set at the end of a long private drive, completely secluded from the rest of the world. Sleeps 6, Pets Welcome
Charming stone terraced holiday cottage hideaway, 1 mile south of the cathedral town of Dunkeld, 13 miles southeast of Pitlochry and 17 miles west of Aberfeldy. Families and friends can find their own little piece of paradise in this sweet period abode, in the picturesque heart of Birnam, Perthshire. Sleeps 4, Pets Welcome
This rural estate self catering Lodge is situated amidst the spectacular scenery of the Cairngorms offering a wonderful holiday hideaway. This fabulous property sits just 7.5 miles south of Grantown-on-Spey, close to the River Spey – home to some of the world’s most famous malt whisky distilleries. Sleeps 6, Sorry no Pets
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