Our local astronomy club is dedicated to fostering a friendly community of stargazers and space enthusiasts who love to learn and make the most of our incredible dark skies. We organise informal astronomy evenings at Stoer Observatory whenever a good weather-window appears. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just beginning your journey into the stars, our club welcomes individuals of all ages and experience levels. It’s free to join – join our mailing list for event news:
Winter 2025-2026 Open Nights at Stoer Observatory
Our observatory is located under some of Scotland’s darkest skies here on the Stoer Peninsula near Lochinver. This winter we’re hosting free open nights every second Thursday, starting at 6–9pm (7–10pm in October). You can get tickets via our sister site Eat Sleep Wild.
Upcoming dates:
- October 30
- November 13 & 27
- December 11
- January 8 & 22
- February 5 & 19
What’s Included
- Guided stargazing – Learn how to spot constellations, planets, and seasonal celestial events, and discover why Assynt is one of the few places in Europe with Bortle 1 skies — as dark as it gets.
- Telescope viewing – Use our 8” Meade SCT visual telescope to see the Moon, planets, and star clusters up close.
- Astrophotography demo – See how we capture nebulae and galaxies with our William Optics FLT132 refractor and CMOS cameras. All photos shown on this page were taken with this telescope.
- Aurora & meteor watching – With our pristine dark skies, you’ll be in the perfect place to catch northern lights and meteor activity.
- Weather-friendly options – If it’s cloudy, we’ll move indoors to the cozy Byre cottage for an informal talk on astronomy, astrophotography, and cosmic storytelling.
How to Join Assynt Astronomy Club
Membership of the Assynt Astronomy Club is free — we believe everyone should have the chance to experience the wonders of the universe.
- Join the mailing list → This is our official membership list, and the best way to stay informed about upcoming events.
- Facebook group → A lively community space to share photos, ask questions, and chat with fellow stargazers.
- Substack newsletter → Longer write-ups, reflections, and stories from Stoer Observatory to inspire your own stargazing at home.
Add your email below to join the club and be part of our growing community under the darkest skies in Europe.
