Merkinch Local Nature Reserve
Craigton Avenue, Inverness, Inverness-shire, IV3 8AZ
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.
Location events organiser
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
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07/07/25
16° 0% -
07/07/25
13° 0% -
08/07/25
11° 0% -
08/07/25
9° 1%
Weather forecast for Inverness Caledonian Thistle Fc (1.2 miles away) updated 07/07/25 at 12:02.
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.
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Urban
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Suburban
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Semi-rural
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Rural
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Dark site
The above demonstrates the estimated effect of light pollution - graphics created using Stellarium.
Best time to visit
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.
Mon 7th Jul
Tue 8th Jul
Wed 9th Jul
Thu 10th Jul
Fri 11th Jul
Sat 12th Jul
Sun 13th Jul
Find more dates
If you are planning to visit this location check our dark sky calendar to find out when is best!
CalendarEvents nearby
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