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Dark Skies over Assynt

Night sky photography in the Scottish Highlands.

By Johnny Graham

September 1^st, 2017

Assynt,

The last true wilderness of Scotland. This small parish nestled in the remote North West and straddling the North Coast 500 route is famous for its rugged landscape and mountains but its distant location far from the bright city lights of Scotland's Central Belt and over two hours drive from Inverness.

Star Trails over Clachtoll Bay, Assynt, Scotland.

This makes it the prime and perhaps only true spot on the British Mainland that is below a truly authentic Dark Sky. You would not need many fingers to count the streetlights in its small coastal villages and communities.

Looking North over Maiden Loch, Assynt, Scotland.

The biggest danger to your star viewing pleasure might indeed be the Merry Dancers themselves. The Aurora Borealis is a regular visitor in the Winter months and its regular southern reach laps over the Northern reaches of Scotland.

Star Trails over Ardvreck Castle, Loch Assynt, Scotland.

I am a strong believer in having strong subjects in my night sky photography and Assynt has some excellent subjects, especially in Stoer Head Lighthouse and Ardvreck Castle on the shores of Loch Assynt. There is also a abundance of abandoned crofts and bothys dotted around the landscape and of course its epic scenery and distinctive silhouette of mountains like Suilven and Canisp provide excellent foreground.

Milky Way over Stoer Bay, Assynt, Scotland.

http://www.discoverassynt.co.uk/

http://www.visitassynt.com/

http://www.northcoast500.com/

https://www.visitscotland.com/

Star Trails & Northern Lights over Clachtoll Salmon Bothy, Scotland.

I hope you enjoy my night sky photography,

Johnny Graham.

Conjunction of Full Moon & Jupiter with Northern Lights over Abandoned Croft, Culkein-Stoer, Scotland.

The Obligatory Passing Place Sign, Assynt, Scotland.

Comms Tower near Clashnessie, Assynt, Scotland.

Star Trails & Northern Lights over Clachtoll Salmon Bothy, Scotland.

Milky Way over Stoer Head Lighthouse, Assynt, Scotland.

Star Trails over Ardvreck Castle, Loch Assynt, Scotland.

© 2026 Johnny Graham

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