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Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock Castle

Castle Road End, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, DG1 4RU

Best time to visit

Caerlaverock Castle is a private location and is only accessible out of normal hours for stargazing by prior arrangement or when public events are scheduled.

Weather forecast

  • 30/04/26

    21° 0%

  • 30/04/26

    21° 0%

  • 30/04/26

    18° 0%

  • 01/05/26

    13° 0%

Weather forecast for Dumfries (7.1 miles away) updated 30/04/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Caerlaverock Castle is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a rural location based on the latest data from the VIIRS satellite. For more advanced light pollution data, view this location on DarkSkySites.

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

Light pollution map of Caerlaverock Castle

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 Thu 30th Apr

Thu 30th Apr

Full Moon
97 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Fri 1st May

Fri 1st May

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
NO DARKNESS
Moon phase on Sat 2nd May

Sat 2nd May

Full Moon
100 % illuminated
Dark from 21:32 to 21:37
Dark for 0h 4m
Moon phase on Sun 3rd May

Sun 3rd May

Full Moon
98 % illuminated
Dark from 21:35 to 22:53
Dark for 1h 17m
Moon phase on Mon 4th May

Mon 4th May

Waning Gibbous
95 % illuminated
Dark from 21:38 to 23:59
Dark for 2h 20m
Moon phase on Tue 5th May

Tue 5th May

Waning Gibbous
90 % illuminated
Dark from 21:41 to 00:49
Dark for 3h 7m
Moon phase on Wed 6th May

Wed 6th May

Waning Gibbous
84 % illuminated
Dark from 21:44 to 01:25
Dark for 3h 40m

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

  • Dumfries Astronomy Society meeting

    Tuesday 12th May 2026 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Lochvale House, Dumfries, DG1 4DF (6.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Cockermouth Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Tuesday 26th May 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Friends Meeting House - Cockermouth, Cockermouth, CA13 9PH (22.9 miles away)

    More info

  • Cockermouth Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Tuesday 30th June 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Friends Meeting House - Cockermouth, Cockermouth, CA13 9PH (22.9 miles away)

    More info

  • Dumfries Astronomy Society meeting

    Tuesday 8th September 2026 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Lochvale House, Dumfries, DG1 4DF (6.3 miles away)

    More info

  • Cockermouth Astronomical Society monthly meeting

    Tuesday 29th September 2026 from 19:30pm to 21:30pm

    Friends Meeting House - Cockermouth, Cockermouth, CA13 9PH (22.9 miles away)

    More info

Stay and gaze nearby

Stay at one of these stargazing-friendly accommodation providers.

  • Domes by the Sea

    Torrs Farm, Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire, DG6 4XJ, Scotland (24.9 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

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  • Woodfoot Cottage – Gatehouse of Fleet

    Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, DG7 2BJ (27.1 miles away)

    Stay & Gaze

    More info