Strathnairn Stargazing Group

15/10/2026

Forthcoming exhibition & open call for entries :

NIGHT LIFE: What comes alive after dark? An exhibition exploring darkness & ecology

From TODAY (15 October), Gael Hillyard has an open call out for submissions for the above.

Strathnairn Stargazing Group’s Dr Andy McGregor & Strathnairn Community Council’s Project Advisor Julie Macrae, have kindly been invited to attend (again) by Gael Hillyard. Both have confirmed their interest in participation as part of the forthcoming exhibition & talks, as this artist's work goes from strength to strength.

Gael's work is opening up local discussion and debate on the environmental issues we currently face - focussing on nature restoration and increasing biodiversity - from a perspective of what we stand to lose. In doing so, recognising and valuing the natural asset that is our Dark Skies; which is a long-standing theme and backbone to her works. This time she seeks to recognise the importance of darkness for the safeguarding of nocturnal creatures along with their patterns, rhythms and habitats which have evolved in an absence of 'artificial' or other forms of light; and are now interconnected to this.

For more details on applying, making a submission or participation see https://www.gaelhillyard.com/nightlife

The exhibition & related talks will be held from 24 February to 06 March 2027; in Wasps Creative Studios, Inverness. https://waspsstudios.org.uk/inverness-creative-academy/

More details will follow as they emerge, on Gael Hillyard’s website or here at Strathnairn Stargazing Group’s Facebook

10/10/2026

Strathnairn Community Council (SNCC) are delighted to confirm that

*Strathnairn’s Local Place Plan* has been validated and accepted in the Local Planning System (as of 27 Aug 26).

See https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory-record/14104/strathnairn-local-place-plan

SSG’s thanks go out to locals Beth Rose, Justyna Szczachor, and Lorna McConnachie who engaged widely and worked tirelessly on behalf of the local community (and it’s associated groups) to get this on over the line, at this critical moment in time. Crucially ahead of the publication of the (Area) Local Development Plan.

Strathnairn’s LPP supports the protection, conservation and restoration of the Community’s rural landscapes, natural assets & habitats - including the Strath’s Dark Skies - to increase biodiversity whilst strengthening climate change resilience & addressing other community needs.

SSG - amongst others - engaged with this process in full and contributed to the strength of this document, for community and wider use.

A directory of the Local Place Plans

05/10/2026

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.

Full details in the link:

Representatives from Strathnairn Stargazing Group & Strathnairn Community Council, were delighted to meet and exchange with Professor Catherine Heymans, ...

02/10/2026

Well done Alan!

We are delighted to see you have had your photo of the Milky Way over Carrbridge - marking the return of (local) Dark Skies - selected as part of BBC’s ‘Your Pictures of Scotland: Photographs from around the country’ for w/e 11 Sept 26.

Alan Rankin was one of several photographers invited by Gael Hillyard to exhibit alongside her works, as part of her recent ‘Continiuum’ Exhibition in Wasps, Inverness.

Both SSG’s Andy McGregor & Julie Macrae had the pleasure of meeting Alan at the ‘Continuum’ event launch and again across the evenings of talks. This included discussing Dark Sky photographic opportunities within the South Loch Dark Sky Communities; tied in with tourism, culture and heritage.

We look forward to future collaborations & exchanges, as we progress our works.

[Alan Rankin is former CEO of the Cairngorms Partnership, and former manager of Scotland’s Marine Tourism Strategy].

A selection of photographs submitted to BBC Scotland News from around the country this week.

01/10/2026

Look out for Saturn over the next few nights - it's the brightest object in the sky above the hills, running down the eastern side of the strath. Its quite visible even with the current bright moon.

30/09/2026

https://lightpollutionmap.app/
https://www.highland.gov.uk/planning-area/highland-local-development-plan/6

28/09/2026

SCIENCE IN THE ATRIUM @ INVERNESS ROYAL ACADEMY

‘How to design a Universe’ by Professor Catherine Heymans, Astronomer Royal for Scotland

Saturday 03 October 2026 @ (1.30 for) 2pm

More information and tickets available at the link: https://strathnairn.org.uk/science-in-the-atrium-catherine-heymans-astronomer-royal-03-oct/

25/09/2026

✨Dark Skies Surveys- Stratherrick & Foyers✨

Stratherrick & Foyers Dark Skies Surveys to support the South Loch Ness Communities DSI UK Application have been agreed (in principle).

Local Astronomer Stephen Macintosh looks to make a return to the team, and will again pair up with SSG’s Dr Andy McGregor to record ‘sky brightness’ across the neighbouring Strath.

Surveys start from September 26, and will run over the next couple of months, as weather / moon / conditions / availability permits.

Steve Owens, of Glasgow Science Centre, who kindly lent SSG roof-mounted ‘light reading meters’ last autumn, continues to support our local efforts from his base in Glasgow. Thanks go out to Steve for their continued loan of this kit to the community.

We hope to meet Steve Owens in person, through this or related activities, as and when the opportunity presents itself.

In the interim SSG would like to thank Stephen Macintosh https://modulouniverse.com/
& Steve Owens https://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/ for their continued interest and community support.

18/09/2026

Robert MacFarlane & forthcoming Reith Lecture’s 2026

Robert MacFarlane, author and academic, through his writing and works, is an recognised advocate for the Natural World; and studies humanity’s historic, current - and complex - relationship with it. This year he has been nominated to present the BBC’s Reith Lecture’s and is challenging humanity’s ‘Superiority complex’.

The acclaimed writer will argue for the urgent need to re-imagine humanity’s relationship with the living world, in order to shape a more hopeful future on Earth

10/09/2026

YOUR OPINION MATTERS

Highland Council Draft Dark Skies Policy

Consultation Process until end of September

Our group & Strathnairn Community Council had an association with getting Highland Council to approve the drafting of light pollution content in their planning process.

HC has now put a draft out and it's open for comments; as we understand until the end of the month of September 2026.

Here's a link to the document:
https://www.highland.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/87387/Item%25207.%2520Reducing%2520Light%2520Pollution%253A%2520Draft%2520Good%2520Practice%2520Guidance

The actual guidance is in the back in Appendix 2.

On a quick scan, we conclude it's a bit lightweight at the moment and will make a submission - including suggestions / improvements - on behalf of Strathnairn Stargazing Group & Strathnairn Community Council.

But the more the better.

If you have capacity and knowledge, either as individuals or associated groups, we would welcome your input directly to this process on this one.