OpenCharities

The Dark Sky Observatory

Also known as: The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory

Country
Scotland
Charity number
SC042329
Status
Active
Registered
May 24, 2011
Legal form
Company (the charity is registered with Companies House)

Address

Address
C/o Azets
3 Wellington Square
Ayr
Ayrshire
KA7 1EN

Activities

'It carries out activities or services itself'

'the advancement of education','the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science','the provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended','the advancement of environmental protection or improvement'

Our charity was was formed to facilitate the advancement of science, education, the arts and environmental protection to be achieved by the construction of a new astronomical observatory to complement the Galloway Forest Park's 'International Dark-Sky Association 'gold tier' Dark Sky Park status (awarded 2009). Our former facility, which opened to the public in January 2013, suffered a devastating fire in June 2021. Since that time we have been focussed on settling our insurance claim, we have purchased a new premises in a much more advantageous location, appointed an architect and formed our Design Team. In December 2025 we submitted our application for planning consent to redevelop and extend the existing premises and eagerly await the outcome. In the meantime, while we progress the development of our new premises, we continue to participate in public engagement, offering educational outreach activities in the fields of astronomy, STEM and environmental protection.

Finances

Period end Income Expenditure Employees
May 31, 2025 £246,379 £54,209 1
May 31, 2024 £45,784 £41,987 1
May 31, 2023 £1,422,945 £79,017 1
May 31, 2022 £116,341 £691,548 1
May 31, 2021 £85,096 £75,886 1