The Glorious 12+13th_For Spectacular Nights & Stargazer’s Delight

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Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 August 2026 > Signals the potential for Spectacular Nights & Stargazer’s Delight

 

There’s a summer spectacular & double whammy – experience the Solar Eclipse & Perseids Meteor Shower – for all who enjoy the outdoors and night skies on Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 August 2026.

ALL WELCOME

 

Wednesday 12 August 2026 @ 6-8pm

To experience the Solar Eclipse

 

Conquer a Cairn with a Colander OR Prepare a Picnic Dinner for the Playing Fields or Farr Community Pitches? 

Self-guided | 6-8pm

Stac Gorm or Farr Hall Community Pitches or Farr Playground (opposite School Woods)

 

Introduction

On Wednesday, 12th August 2026, the Moon is going to slide right in front of the Sun causing a partial solar eclipse. In the UK, the Moon will block out up to 96% of the Sun, depending where you are. That means early in the evening between 6:00pm and 8:00pm, the sky will darken, and the Sun will turn into a glowing, fiery crescent.

 

Core information

From a base in Strathnairn (or Inverness) 

 

Inverness – Eclipse coverage: 90 per cent this peaks at 7.03pm. 

  • Eclipse starts: 6.05pm
  • Eclipse reaches maximum: 7.03pm
  • Eclipse ends: 7.57pm

Last time there was an equivalent solar eclipse was 1999; so it is a quarter century occurrence (or thereby). So don’t miss out!

 

Conquer a Cairn with a Colander

Self-guided suggestion | 6-8pm

Stac Gorm, Parking at Loch Ruthven RSPB site (if open) or roadside at Croachy

 

From Strathnairn, consider climbing Stac Gorm, to be elevated and west facing at the peak time, for the best chance of a view.  This is an entirely self-guided event, but Julie Macrae – Farr Community Council’s Project Advisor & Strathnairn Stargazing Group’s Member  – will be in the vicinity/on hand and ascending with an Inverness based ‘Winter walks & wellbeing’ group.

 

Stac Gorm | Walking Highlands  Stac Gorm – Sub2000 (walkhighlands) 

 

RSPB Loch Ruthven  Loch Ruthven Nature Reserve Opening Times 

***UPDATE*** As an exception, the RSPB has kindly agreed to leave the carpark open at Loch Ruthven on Wednesday night. In return they have asked everybody to respect two rules: 1 | For wild fire prevention: NO BBQs, campfires, sparks or anything that will trigger a wild fire; and 2 | For protection of birds: As it is breeding season, all dogs must be kept on leads, at all times.  

 

What to bring?

(Suggestion) Colander and a sheet of white paper, waterproof and warm clothes, good footwear, rucksack, bottle of water, a warm drink and a snack. You can bring specialist Solar Eclipse Glasses if you have them, but you should not observe an Eclipse with anything else. Can’t obtain registered Solar Eclipse Glasses? See here for alternatives > https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Ct3rse2mW/

This is a self-guided event.  Please ensure you are safe and responsible for yourself.

OR

Prepare a Picnic Dinner for Farr Community Pitches or Farr Playground

Self-guided suggestion | 6-8pm

Farr Community Hall & Pitches or Farr Playground (opposite School Woods)

 

Prepare a picnic dinner to enjoy ‘al fresco’ at the Farr Community Hall & Pitches, or Farr Playground (adjacent to School Woods).  Again the expansiveness of the pitches or playground, and west facing setting, will ensure outdoor family fun for a couple of hours and a clear view.

 

Farr Community Hall Farr Community Hall : Online Booking 

 

What to bring?

(Suggestion) Colander and a sheet of white paper, a deck chair and a picnic. You can bring specialist Solar Eclipse Glasses if you have them, but you should not observe an Eclipse with anything else.  Can’t obtain registered Solar Eclipse Glasses? See here for alternatives > https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Ct3rse2mW/

This is a self-guided event.  Please ensure you are safe and responsible for yourself

 

UK Solar Eclipse, More Ideas & How to Watch Safely

 

Weather forecast

At the time of writing (Monday 10 August 2026) the conditions are looking highly settled and favourable for Wednesday night: 0% chance of rain, sunshine through cloud, and 20+ degrees.

 

Nonetheless a hill is a hill in Scotland, so if ascending Stac Gorm, ensure you are prepared for all conditions and change.

 

For up-to-date weather see Met Office Weather and climate change – Met Office 

 

***UPDATE | NOW > Thursday 13 August 2026 @ 10-11.45pm

To observe the Perseids Meteor Shower

 

Connect with the Community to observe & enjoy the Night Skies

Community-led | 10-11.45pm (Until midnight) | Self-guided | After midnight (14 August 2026 through to dawn, though no access to the Hall will be given in this later session)

Farr Community Hall; Clachan Room & Community Pitches

 

Extracted from the Royal Astronomical Society’ website Summer stargazing treat as Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak | The Royal Astronomical Society

The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak on the night of 12-13 August in the UK and Europe, giving skywatchers a potentially impressive summer treat. The meteors are best viewed from the northern hemisphere, and in ideal conditions with no clouds observers could see up to 50 an hour.

Meteors are the result of small particles entering the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, typically around 60 km per second. The pieces of debris heat up due to friction with the air, and are usually destroyed in under a second at altitudes above 80 km. The superheated air around the meteor glows briefly, and is visible from the ground as a streak of light known as a ‘shooting star’.

This year the peak should be from the evening of 12 August through to the morning of 13 August; plus surrounding days.  On this night the Moon will be a thin crescent setting early in the evening, so moonlight will not interfere, and there is a real advantage to being in a dark sky site away from the lights of towns and cities.

SUGGESTED DONATION OF £2 PER PERSON ON THE DOOR TO COVER TEAS & COFFEES.

What to bring?

(Suggestion) Pair of binoculars, portable deckchair, a warm blanket and ideally a flask of something hot for portability.

This is a community-led event and Strathnairn Stargazer Group will be on hand throughout. Dr Andy McGregor will also set up a telescope.

Weather forecast

At the time of writing (Monday 10 August 2026) the conditions are looking highly settled and favourable for Wednesday & Thursday night: 0% chance of rain and around 18 degrees overnight.

 

Again, as conditions can change, please come prepared with warm and waterproof clothing.

 

For up-to-date weather see Met Office Weather and climate change – Met Office 

 

If you seek more information or look to attend please book here >

 

More information

Find out more about Strathnairn Stargazing Group (SSG) and/or support South Loch Ness Communities Dark Skies >

 

For more information about upcoming SSG Events see >

 

For more information on Strathnairn Sky Brightness Surveys or wider Scottish Dark Skies Campaign >