Star gazers young and old have been flocking to Newton Stewart Youth Hostel to take advantage of the UK’s first Dark Sky Park in Galloway forest park. Forestry Commission Scotland established part of Galloway Forest Park as the first Dark Sky Park in the UK in 2009 proving a massive achievement for the UK and the south west of Scotland.
Derrick Clisham is the hostel manager at Newton Stewart Youth Hostel and he told us he has seen an increase in families coming to stargaze this year. It’s obviously a popular attraction for this time of year, and so much so that the hostel is looking to make it an educational tool for visitors to the hostel. With clear skies, visitors are entranced by the sheer beauty of the skies over Galloway with the opportunity of seeing the plough, the seven sisters and of course the fantastic Milky Way. It just goes to show that the night sky is a thing of fascination and wonder for all ages – and it’s all free!
Newton Stewart Youth Hostel is set in a fine hill walking and cycling area on the outskirts of the picturesque town of Newton Stewart. Housed in an old Victorian school building, close to the Galloway Forest Park and the Southern Upland Way. Newton Stewart Youth Hostel offers budget accommodation to the wealth of travelers taking in the south west of Scotland, as well as providing a valuable addition to the town’s landscape and tourism business. Newton Stewart Youth Hostel can be rented from SYHA for exclusive use throughout the winter season.
Visit www.hostellingscotland.com to book online or call the Reservations Team on 0845 293 73 73.
