UFO lands in Strathnairn? Or Rob downscales to Hobbit home?
Strathnairn Stargazing Group acquires its first asset
In June 2026, Strathnairn Stargazing Group (SSG) were offered an observatory ‘dome’ from our friends & neighbouring astronomical group, the Highlands Astronomical Society (HAS) who are based at Smithton, Inverness.
With the development of HAS’s Jim Lowden Observatory at Culloden Battlefield Highlands Astronomical Society | JSL Observatory Information, this dome was now recognised as surplus to HAS’s needs; and they kindly offered/gifted it to Strathnairn Stargazing Group, to get the community group started. SSG’s Chair Dr Andy McGregor and fellow group member Rob Atkinson – as our group’s in-house engineers – arranged for the collection and local storage of the dome.
This week, with thoughts returning to darker nights and observation opportunities increasing, the duo have now temporarily assembled the dome in Strathnairn. This was to ensure all the key components are intact, which the engineering team now confirms to be the case.
The acquisition of this piece of kit is significant. It marks the group’s first asset and a key component in the development & construction of a small and locally-based facility.
For more details on SSG see > Strathnairn Stargazing Group or Facebook
For more details on HAS see > Highlands Astronomical Society | Highlands Astronomical Society – Astronomy Club and Group for Inverness, Dingwall, Ross-shire, and Highlands, Scotland
Potential development of a local observatory
Over the summer of 2026, SSE’s Aberarder Wind Farm Project Team initiated discussion with SNCC & SSG, about a potential shared use of the (recently acquired) Aberarder School House site. Aberarder Wind Farm: 49.9MW Onshore Renewable Energy Project | SSE Renewables | SSE Renewables
SSE seeks a compatible community use, and given that stargazing is restricted to an overnight activity, this could prove to be a good option for the development of a small-scale community observatory or equivalent facility.
For more details on SSE & Community Benefit see > Communities: Supporting Local People, Projects & Lasting Community Benefits | SSE Renewables | SSE Renewables
Growing support for protecting Dark Skies at Local, Regional & National level
Locally, Highland Councillors are now being asked to approve Highland’s draft guidance for Planning, in association with the recognition and protection of the region’s Dark Skies. For more information see > Reducing Light Pollution: Draft Good Practice Guidance
If approved at Committee, this will then go out to public consultation for comment. SNCC & SSG have briefly consulted the draft, but will then make comment in full, at this point.
The guidance – if approved – could form part of Highland Council’s proposed Highland Local Development Plan (HLDP), which is due to be published next year. For more information see BBC Highlands & Islands news ‘Draft dark skies guidance drawn up for the Highlands’ (Published 14 August 2026) > Draft dark skies guidance drawn up for the Highlands – BBC News
In the interim Strathnairn’s Local Place Plan (LPP) which recognises that the Community looks to protect its rural Dark Skies amongst other assets, has this week (ending 28 August 2026), been validated and adopted by the Highland Council.
Equally the Scottish-wide campaign to recognise & protect Dark Skies continues to gain momentum & growing support see > Scottish Dark Skies Campaign — Protecting Scotland’s Night
Autumn 2026 onwards locally
SSG’s Sky Brightness Survey’s will start in September 2026 as part of ‘South Loch Ness Dark Sky Communities‘ in the Stratherrick & Foyers area. The surveys will be conducted over the next three months, and are dependent on clear skies, sufficient darkness & favourable conditions.
If you would like to learn more see > 01-why-dark-skies-matter | 02-how-dark-skies-are-measured.pdf | 03-the-strathnairn-survey
Watch this space; or just join SSG over Autumn 2026 and watch space!
Contact SSG’s Secretary, Amy Huxtable-Reid, for more details, events & membership Facebook