These are the best, off-the-beaten track spots for stargazing in Scotland

SCOTLAND has some of the most breath-taking views in the world – and that extends to the skies, according to new research.

Three of the most stunning, off-the-beaten track locations for stargazing are right here in Scotland.

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This week marks International Dark Sky Week which celebrates the beauty of the night sky and raises awareness of light pollution.

And to make the week, which runs until Saturday, PsychicWorld.com has compiled the UK’s best hidden gems for stargazing.

The experts worked out the ranking by giving each location a score out of 100, taking into consideration things like light pollution and sky quality.

Topping the list is Tresco on the Scilly Isles, but Glen Brittle, in Skye, came in a close second with a score of 99.3.

This spectacular spot on the island is known for its natural beauty with striking hills and beautiful waterfalls – and is the perfect place to spot stars.

A PscychicWorld.com spokesman said: “Glen Brittle has a Sky Quality Meter reading of 22.00 – the highest possible score for this metric – meaning the area has no light pollution at all.”

In third place is Loch Lomond with a rank score of 95.26 while Fort William is joint eighth on the list with a score of 89.05.

The ranking is not the first time Scotland has been recognised for its incredible skygazing credentials.

The country has some of the largest expanses of dark sky in Europe and is home to Europe’s second Dark Sky Park, Galloway Forest Park. It’s the first of its kind in the UK and only the fourth in the world.

There’s also lots of Dark Sky Discovery Sites – places which experience super low levels of light pollution, revealing pitch black skies with dazzling stars.

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