places to stargaze. Galloway forest

[fireman]

i am off upto Galloway forest on monday to camp over for the night and hopefully watch the meteor storm. has anyone ever been up there star gazing an know which is the best spot. I know the area but never been there to stargaze.
Might sound borin to some but just an excuse to chill out for the night with a wee dram. Then off to boulmer beach in northumberland on the Tuesday to catch up with some mates. and a few drinks.
ill try and get some picys as this NW section seems to be dieing a slow death.

 

[Stevie73]

i am off upto Galloway forest on monday to camp over for the night and hopefully watch the meteor storm. has anyone ever been up there star gazing an know which is the best spot. I know the area but never been there to stargaze.
Might sound borin to some but just an excuse to chill out for the night with a wee dram. Then off to boulmer beach in northumberland on the Tuesday to catch up with some mates. and a few drinks.
ill try and get some picys as this NW section seems to be dieing a slow death.

Me & Jim found a place we called 'camp dream' after spending a day mooching around the trails in the forest. I'll see if I can find it on Google maps and get coordinates for ya. Failing that, Jim, marked it on his sat nag...

 

[Stevie73]

Got it...it's on Clatteringshaws loch.

Coordinates...

(55.0760701399246, -4.294232726097107) Should be pretty exact...

At the side of the trail there is kind of like a little area for parking up, if you're facing the lock, just look to the right side of the area and have a nosey around there. You should see a little flat grassy outcrop overlooking the hill side and the loch. Big enough for two tents and there is a little fire pit there.....If you click the view larger map below it'll take you direct to the google maps zoom in. In the video it's the exact spot at 1'30sec..

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93016583@N05/8664836901/" title="camp dream by desert_rat73, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8664836901_8287840f91.jpg" width="500" height="257" alt="camp dream"></a>

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/23115358" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/23115358">Wild In Galloway</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1773073">Stevie73</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=55.076205,-4.294297&spn=0.002116,0.005681&t=m&z=18"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=55.076205,-4.294297&spn=0.002116,0.005681&t=m&z=18&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

 

[Trevtuck]

Look for the raider trail as well right by the loch

 

[fireman]

Stevie that looks like just the spot, hope you and jim havnt left any logs behind. I have done raiders etc many times and love it up there

 

[AdamA]

I reckon this place would be a good start:
http://www.scottishdarkskyobservatory.co.uk/

The forestry commission map of the dark sky park and rec'd viewing places is here:
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/Darkskiesparkboundaryandsites.pdf/$FILE/Darkskiesparkboundaryandsites.pdf

 

[fireman]

Cheers for that adam. thats a usefull site. i am looking for a nice quiet spot. just chill out and take in the veiws and stars. and a wee dram of the warming stuff..

 

[boatman]

That obsevetary is SOME place , we were passing there on our trail bikes and stopped in to have a wee look when the 24 hrs security (which seemed over the top TILL we got in) had determined that we were in fact refined gentelmen he invited us in for a wee tour around the facility WOW that cost a LOT of wampum to build . MUST make a booking to go and have a look through one of the scopes ( there are several) most IMPRESSIVE !

 

[dakarDude]

Cracking spot it was, too wonnit Stevie?!?

It had a few tree stumps there perfect to sit on and look out over Loch Ken!

Brilliant trip that - some great trails down there.

Enjoy it.

Got it...it's on Clatteringshaws loch.

Coordinates...

(55.0760701399246, -4.294232726097107) Should be pretty exact...

At the side of the trail there is kind of like a little area for parking up, if you're facing the lock, just look to the right side of the area and have a nosey around there. You should see a little flat grassy outcrop overlooking the hill side and the loch. Big enough for two tents and there is a little fire pit there.....If you click the view larger map below it'll take you direct to the google maps zoom in. In the video it's the exact spot at 1'30sec..

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93016583@N05/8664836901/" title="camp dream by desert_rat73, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8664836901_8287840f91.jpg" width="500" height="257" alt="camp dream"></a>

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/23115358" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/23115358">Wild In Galloway</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1773073">Stevie73</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=55.076205,-4.294297&spn=0.002116,0.005681&t=m&z=18"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=55.076205,-4.294297&spn=0.002116,0.005681&t=m&z=18&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>

 

[fireman]

Back safe and sound, what a cracking ride. made it all the way up to kielder forest with only using B roads and moor tracks. Stunning veiws but a very strong wind.
piccys as we all like piccys
Loads of these forest tracks to play on

Good a place as any to camp


Looks like the rains on its way


Time to bug out


Ok OK i take the hint...stay to the track.

We need a summer camp up here sometime fellas.Ill dont mind leading the way...just an idea

 

[dakarDude]

We need a summer camp up here sometime fellas.Ill dont mind leading the way...just an idea

Looks and sounds good!