7 MARCH 2007 NEWS RELEASE No: 9435

Argyll families can get a guided tour of the Milky Way next weekend during a two day astronomy event at Kilmartin.

On Friday 16 and Saturday 17 March, Forestry Commission Scotland, West Argyll Forest District, will be hosting the Dark Sky Scotland astronomy activity programme at Kilmartin House Museum, near Lochgilphead, as part of the Commission's 'touchwood' celebrations.

The event will be run by a trained team of professional astronomers from the Royal Observatory Edinburgh and representatives from the Glasgow Science Centre. These experts will be on hand to explain what astronomy is all about, highlight what to look out for at this time of year, and run a range of astro-fun activities to entertain the whole family.

Scotland benefits from some of the darkest skies in western Europe and the forest cover in West Argyll provides an ideal location for stargazing. The Dark Sky Scotland initiative is the first pan-Scotland programme of public and educational astronomy events, and is designed to encourage young and old to learn about what's in the skies above them in a fun and exciting way.

All the activities are free and will be relaxed, informal and entertaining! The event programme is as follows:

Friday 16 March
7.00-8.30pm - Family stargazing with lots of astro-fun whatever the weather. Booking in advance is advised.*

Saturday 17 March
1200-4pm - Hourly sessions in the starlab planetarium and comet making.
1200-5pm - Astro-fun for all ages. Activities include: star umbrella, rocket-making, handling rocks from space, NASA protective clothes, stars on sticks, constellation boxes and constellation telescopes.
6.30-8.30pm - Family stargazing with a site visit to Temple Wood Stone Circle (bus transport provided). Lots of astrofun whatever the weather. Booking in advance is advised.*

*To book stargazing - please contact Forestry Commission Scotland, West Argyll Forest District, tel: 01546 602518 (weekdays 9am-5pm).

Please note: Anyone attending the evening stargazing events should wear warm clothing and appropriate outdoor shoes. Those with access to binoculars or telescopes should bring them but it is not a requirement.

Local Recreation Forester, Marina Smith said;

"Our forests provide some of the best light-free locations in the world. Many local astronomers already regularly use the forests in the area for stargazing and I hope these events will encourage even more people to give it a go and discover what can be seen on their doorstep.

"The events planned for 16 and 17 March will appeal to all age groups - from experienced astronomer to complete beginner. It'll be a wonderful opportunity for local people to learn more about what can be seen in the sky from their doorstep.

"Booking in advance for the evening stargazing events is required but the afternoon activities on Saturday is available to anyone who turns up on the day and will be packed with fun activities. Don't worry if the weather's bad on the day - there will be lots of cosmic activities to entertain regardless of the weather conditions."

In addition to the public family events mentioned above there will workshops running for local education providers, tourism businesses, and community groups over the two event days. For more information about these events and to book please contact West Argyll Forest District office on 01546 602518 (weekdays 9am to 5pm).

Dark Sky Scotland is Scotland's first nationwide programme of astronomy events. There will be over 30 astronomy events at venues throughout Scotland up to Spring 2008. Forestry Commission Scotland is hosting many of these events as part of its 'touchwood' programme of events to mark Scotland's Year of Highland Culture. For further information about the 'touchwood' programme visit www.touchwood2007.org.uk

The innovative Dark Sky Scotland programme is supported by a range of partners and funders. Highland and Islands Enterprise are one such funding organisation.

Speaking ahead of the event at Kilmartin House Museum, Bill Taylor, Heritage Manager for Highlands and Islands Enterprise said;

"Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is happy to support this project with £15,000. The dark skies of the Highlands and Islands are a little recognised asset for our communities. This project can help them benefit from this in an exciting and fun way that will connect them with science and technology.

"It is also a great opportunity for tourism businesses to learn how to share our dark skies with their visitors. This can be another attraction to encourage visitors to the Highlands and Islands."

Further information about Dark Sky Scotland and events scheduled in other areas of Scotland can be found at www.darkskyscotland.org.uk

Dan Hillier, Dark Sky Scotland project leader, added;

"The event at Kilmartin House will fall during national science week (9-18 March) and we'll be encouraging anyone attending our event to take part in a initiative called 'Globe at Night'. Globe at Night is a project to judge how dark skies are all over the world by getting people to count the starts they can see in the constellation of Orion during the period 8-21 March. We already know that Scotland has some of the darkest skies in Western Europe from satellite images but the more people who supply feedback for the Globe project the higher Scottish representation in the project results will be. Helping contribute to this worldwide project will be an added attraction of the Dark Sky Scotland event at Kilmartin, but anyone across the country can take part."

For further information about 'Globe at Night' visit www.globe.gov/GaN

Directions to Kilmartin House Museum: (postcode PA31 8RQ):
From the South: Head north towards Dumbarton and onwards to Loch Lomond. Take A83 to Inveraray. Continue on the A83 along Loch Fyne to Lochgilphead. Kilmartin is situated 8 miles north of Lochgilphead, on the A816 Oban road.
From the North: Head to Oban. Take the A816 out of Oban towards Lochgilphead.

Notes to Editors:
1) Attached is a supporting photograph of stargazing.
2) If you would like to send a reporter or photographer to one of the activities please contact Marina Smith, West Argyll Forest District in advance on 01546 602518 to arrange.
3) The Dark Sky Scotland partners are:
- Royal Observatory Edinburgh Visitor Centre is leading the Dark Sky Scotland project
- Forestry Commission Scotland is hosting events on the national forest estate as part of it's 'touchwood' programme of events celebrating Highland Year of Culture 2007
- Careers Scotland is supporting teacher workshops as part of its Science and Technology Matters programme
- Glasgow Science Centre with a wealth of expertise in public stargazing and planetarium shows, will play a leading role in running the events
- The Institute of Physics is a membership organisation of researchers, students, teachers and other who are helping to run the events

Many events will be run in collaboration with Scotland's very active local astronomy societies

Dark Sky Scotland is funded by: The Scottish Executive, Forestry Commission Scotland, Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and European Social Fund.

Media Enquiries:
Diana McGowan, Forestry Commission Scotland, press office, tel: 0131 314 6507 or 07785 527590