British Waterways Scotland is celebrating the International Year of Astronomy by promoting canals and towpaths as the perfect places to view the sky at night.
Spring 2009
Scotland’s skies are amongst the darkest in Europe and canals offer some of the most accessible ways of introducing everyone, from novices to enthusiasts, to the jewels in the skies above.
Richard Millar from British Waterways Scotland said: “Our Scottish skies, although not famous for being cloud free, are amongst the darkest in Europe, especially in places easily accessible by one of Scotland’s greatest assets, the canals. We are very happy to be working with the International Year of Astronomy and the Astronomer Royal to encourage more people to get out and investigate our dark skies.
“The canal corridors of Scotland are excellent places to explore some of the darkest skies in the UK and we hope that the 2009 International Year of Astronomy will introduce everyone, from novices to enthusiasts, to the jewels in the skies. We hope that more people visit their local canal this year whether it is in search of Orion’s Belt or the possibility of discovering another planet.
“Who knows what you could spot on your usual stroll home from work along the Forth & Clyde or Union Canal - maybe a shooting star in the sky above or possibly catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights from the Caledonian Canal.
“When visiting Scotland's canals, for stargazing and other activities, we want everyone to stay SAFE and take care. Safety information can be found on www.waterscape.com or children can visit www.wow4water.net and find out how to be SAFE by learning to Stay Away From the Edge when near the water.”
The following canal side spots are recommended to all budding star gazers:
- Caledonian Canal - with the glow of Inverness at one end and Fort William at the other, most of the length of the Caledonian Canal passes through very dark areas indeed
- Forth & Clyde Canal - while you will still be amongst the sky-glow of the central belt, even taking just a short trip out of the city centres along the Forth & Clyde Canal can yield a reward on a clear night
- Union Canal - like the Forth & Clyde Canal, you will never be amongst totally dark skies, but the difference between sky above the Union Canal and the city centres is always surprising
- The Crinan Canal, though short, lies amongst some very dark skies in the west of Scotland