Galloway Forest Park

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Lazy stargazers Stargazing is incredible, but for most of us, it’s not that easy to pop across to Canada or the United States. Luckily, we have our own Dark Sky reserve in Dumfries and Galloway which is running events throughout this month (see http://scotland.forestry. gov.uk for details). It can definitely compete with stargazing spots across the world: with around 75,000 hectares of land, and limited numbers of buildings, light pollution is kept to a minimum, all the better to see the more than 7,000 stars and planets visible with the naked eye. If you head there during October, you might be lucky enough to see the Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights. ■

Prudence Wade