Public Observing

From time to time, the Observatory will be open to the general public. People are welcome to come and join us for an evening under the stars and for a glimpse through the telescope.

If you are interested in attending an observing session, or would like some pointers on making the best of your own sessions, please read the guide in the following link. It is required reading before attending a public observing session. Thank you.

Practical Observing Etiquette

All observing sessions are subject to weather conditions. If it is heavily overcast or raining, then the observatory will remain closed. There may be additional reasons why a sessions has to be cancelled, so please check this website to confirm that the observatory will be open before you travel. Information will be posted in the right hand column of this site under the heading JSL Observatory.

Where?

Please click here for a map of the observatory and here to plan your journey

The observatory is located at the far end of the Culloden Battefield NTS Visitor Centre car park. Please take great care when driving into the car park. Drive slowly and where possible use sidelights only  in order to prevent those people already present from losing their night vision - it takes up to 20 minutes to fully adapt.

IMPORTANT: Admission Times

For security reasons, the car park to the battlefield is locked. During public observing sessions the gate will be unlocked at the following times only:

8:00pm - 8:15pm (to let people in only)
9:00pm - 9:05pm (to let people in and out)
10:00pm - 10:05pm (to let people in and out)

The gate is also unlocked at 11:00pm to let people out again.

If you don't want to be restricted by those times, then you can park in front of the gate (there are car parking spaces there) and walk to the observatory (about 300 yards at the other end of the car park). Make sure you bring a torch, as there is no light in the car park at all. Please note that there are no admissions after 10:00pm.

Use of Torches

When you arrive at the observatory itself, please do not use torches that produce white light because this will immediately destroy the night vision of those present in the observatory. It will take up to 20 minutes to regain this, so please don't upset the observers! If you have a torch that produces red light, you are welcome to use it.

When?

The dates of our public observing sessions can be found on our Programme & Events page.

Observing sessions may on occasion also be arranged on request for private parties. To find out more please use our online Enquiry Form.

Admission

Although we don't charge admission, we would very much welcome a donation of £2 for those who attend to cover some of the cost of the upkeep of our observatory. All staff are volunteers and the society has charitable status.

Practical Observing Etiquette