Science in the Atrium, with Professor Catherine Heymans on ‘How to Design a Universe’
& Growing support for South Loch Ness Dark Skies
OPENING LECTURE FOR SCIENCE IN THE ATRIUM
At the weekend several people associated with Strathnairn’s Community Groups attended a fantastic talk which kick-started the Institute of Physics in Scotland’s (IOPS) ‘Science in the Atrium’ 2026/27 program.
‘How to Design a Universe; The Science of Real and Virtual Worlds’ was the subject of a talk (and new book) by Professor Catherine Heymans, Astronomer Royal of Scotland, held at the Inverness Royal Academy on Saturday 03 October 2026.
From Edinburgh to the ‘Very Large Telescopes’ (VLTs) in the Atacama Desert and more, Professor Heymans took us on a whistlestop tour of her ‘real’ and ‘virtual’ worlds; as she lives her day to day life (as Catherine, Professor, Astronomer Royal for Scotland & Mum) and mathematically ‘tests’ and ‘models’ the Universe. She struck a perfect balance – for children and adults alike – in her talk, bridged by animated experiments (testing gravity etc) and interspersed by curious questions on ‘anything on astronomy’. Bringing science alive, and engaging all, questions were posed by the younger members of the audience; with little Ruaridh – clearly a young astrophysicist in the making at the age of ‘six and three quarters, nearly seven’ – winning the hearts of everybody attending.
Fresh from the Edinburgh Festival, Catherine is clearly experienced in making physics fun! Equally what a treat for Inverness, to have secured her visit to, and talk within the Highlands; with people as far north as Tongue having confirmed their attendance.
For more on Catherine’s role and life see BBC World Service – Discovery, The Life Scientific: Catherine Heymans
GROWING SUPPORT FOR SOUTH LOCH NESS DARK SKIES & DSI UK APPLICATION
As part of this, Strathnairn Stargazing Group’s Chair, Dr Andy McGregor & Strathnairn Community Council’s Project Specialist, Julie Macrae, had the pleasure of meeting Professor Heymans ahead of the event. This was to discuss the work that has been done to date locally on the above.
Through this exchange, we discussed the wider challenges surrounding securing community (or area) Dark Skies status, our position on the recognised need for renewables (in general) and the state of play (as we understand it) with regards to the adoption of technology to preserve dark skies. On the back of our meeting, through wide-ranging discussion and assurances, Professor Heymans has now confirmed that she can lend her support to the community-led application to DSI UK, for South Loch Ness Dark Skies.
A welcome outcome, all round.
FORGING A CONNECTION WITH ‘SCIENCE IN THE ATRIUM’
Through the event, we also had the pleasure of meeting Dr Kate MacDonald. Kate is the local representative of the Institute of Physics in Scotland’s Highland branch IOP Scotland | Institute of Physics and the organiser of the ambitious ‘Science in the Atrium’ program.
FINAL Science in Atrium Leaflet 2026 v4 PDF 17-SEP-26
Kate clearly does a great deal of work for the Community, in pulling this together annually. We are also delighted to have made another local connection, and have agreed to promote and support each other going forward where we can.
For more information on the forthcoming program see Science in the Atrium (at Inverness Royal Academy) Tickets, Monday 9 November • 6:30 PM – 8 PM | Eventbrite
Locally, in Strathnairn ‘Science in the Atrium’ regularly appears in the events calendar see Events | Strathnairn Community; and we’ll continue to promote it through this and the Strathnairn Stargazing Group’s FB page Facebook