Telescopes for beginners | free mobile app

Merkinch Local Nature Reserve

Merkinch Local Nature Reserve

Craigton Avenue, Inverness, Inverness-shire, IV3 8AZ

Best time to visit

Nature reserve on the outskirts of Inverness and away from the worst of the city’s light pollution, this location is frequently the venue for free public stargazing events organised by Highland Astronomy Tours.

Merkinch Local Nature Reserve is a private location and is only accessible out of normal hours for stargazing by prior arrangement or when public events are scheduled.

Location events organiser

Highland Astronomy

Highland Astronomy organises events at this location

Please contact Highland Astronomy directly with any enquiries relating to visiting this location

Email: [email protected]
Website: Highland Astronomy
Facebook: Highland Astronomy

Weather forecast

  • 11/12/24

    2° 3%

  • 11/12/24

    2° 4%

  • 12/12/24

    1° 5%

  • 12/12/24

    1° 5%

Weather forecast for Inverness Caledonian Thistle Fc (1.2 miles away) updated 10/12/24 at 20:01.

Local light pollution

Merkinch Local Nature Reserve is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to asuburban suburban location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite.

The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.

Light pollution map of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve

Best time to visit

The Moon has a big impact on the visibility of celestial bodies in the night sky. Try to plan your stargazing when there is no bright Moon at night as this is when the skies will be at their darkest.

The below chart shows when the skies will be at their darkest at this location and therefore the best time to visit. Moonlight is shown in light yellow and the Sun's twilight in light blue. Midnight on the date shown is shown as a white line with sunset to the left and sunrise the next morning to the right. A black background with stars shows the best times for stargazing. See our dark sky calendar for more details.

Moon phase on Wed 11th Dec

Wed 11th Dec

Waxing Gibbous
76 % illuminated
Dark from 05:02 to 07:08
Dark for 2h 6m
Moon phase on Thu 12th Dec

Thu 12th Dec

Waxing Gibbous
85 % illuminated
Dark from 06:48 to 07:09
Dark for 0h 21m
Moon phase on Fri 13th Dec

Fri 13th Dec

Waxing Gibbous
92 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sat 14th Dec

Sat 14th Dec

Full Moon
97 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sun 15th Dec

Sun 15th Dec

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Mon 16th Dec

Mon 16th Dec

Full Moon
99 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Tue 17th Dec

Tue 17th Dec

Full Moon
97 % illuminated
Dark from 17:13 to 17:17
Dark for 0h 3m

Find more dates

If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!

Calendar

Events nearby

Display nearby events on a calendar

  • Dark Skies Weekend at The Boat Country Inn

    Friday 17th January 2025 from 16:00pm to Sunday 19th January 2025 12:00pm

    The Boat Country Inn, Aviemore, PH24 3BH (25.0 miles away)

    More info

  • Dark Skies Weekend at The Boat Country Inn

    Friday 21st February 2025 from 16:00pm to Sunday 23rd February 2025 12:00pm

    The Boat Country Inn, Aviemore, PH24 3BH (25.0 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

No locations found