Starry-eyed weddings and events

Looking for a stellar evening activity for your wedding or special event? Stargazing is a magical experience, which you can enjoy with your guests on a clear night. The best time of year to go stargazing in Scotland is from October to March, so it’s perfect for winter celebrations. Our event venue, Venachar Lochside, is located on the north shore of Loch Venachar, which is a dark sky discovery site. That means it’s officially recognised as a great place to go stargazing. So, why not take some time out to gaze up at the stars on your special day?

Stargazing at Venachar Lochside

The shores of Loch Venachar provide the perfect location for stargazing. With very low levels of light pollution, you can see thousands of stars on a clear night. Although we can’t guarantee the right conditions for stargazing on your event date, there are a few things you can do to improve the chances. Firstly, choose a date between October and March, when the skies are darker for longer. Also, avoid any dates where there is a full moon – a new moon is best. The moon’s phases are calculated in advance, so you can check any date here.

In terms of weather, you need a clear sky, without fog or cloud cover. Unfortunately, we can’t predict this until nearer the time. But you can check the forecast up to 10 days in advance and plan in some time for stargazing if conditions are looking good. Just let us know if you decide to include stargazing in your activities, and we can make some time for this in the evening celebrations.

Our tips for wedding and event stargazing

1. Ask your guests to bring something warm to wear in the evening.
2. Arrange for hot drinks to be served and have seating and blankets at the ready.
3. Bring a red torch to help you see in the dark. Red light has less of an effect on your night vision.
4. Download one of these stargazing apps to guide you. If possible, turn your phone screen red.
5. Look for well-known asterisms, such as the plough and Orion’s belt. Watch the video below from Steve Owens at Glasgow Science Centre for more things to spot in the night sky.
6. Ask your photographer to stick around. They may be able to get some amazing log exposure shots.

Stargazing is a spell-binding evening activity to try on a clear night in Scotland. So, come and see the stars at Venachar Lochside! Chat to us for more unusual activity ideas to make your wedding or event extra special.