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Dornoch Station Hotel

Dornoch Station Hotel

Grange Road, Dornoch, Sutherland, IV25 3LF, Scotland

Best time to visit

Dornoch Station Hotel enjoys a wonderful setting in the Scottish Highlands, overlooking Royal Dornoch Golf Course and close to the wide-open coastline of Dornoch Firth. Away from the light pollution of larger towns and cities, the area offers excellent opportunities for stargazing and astrophotography, with dark skies providing views of the Milky Way, constellations and, when conditions are favourable, the Northern Lights. Nearby Dornoch Beach provides particularly open horizons for night-sky photography, and the hotel has previously hosted dedicated astrophotography experiences there – making Dornoch Station an excellent base for anyone wishing to combine a comfortable Highland stay with exploring and photographing the night sky.

Dornoch Station Hotel 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

  • 12/09/26

    17° 8%

  • 12/09/26

    16° 5%

  • 12/09/26

    14° 5%

  • 13/09/26

    12° 5%

Weather forecast for Tain (4.9 miles away) updated 12/09/26 at 12:01. Powered by Met Office data.

Local light pollution

Dornoch Station Hotel is estimated to have light pollution levels similar to a suburban 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 Dornoch Station Hotel

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 Sat 12th Sep

Sat 12th Sep

New Moon
1 % illuminated
Dark from 20:13 to 04:13
Dark for 7h 59m
Moon phase on Sun 13th Sep

Sun 13th Sep

Waxing Crescent
4 % illuminated
Dark from 20:10 to 04:16
Dark for 8h 5m
Moon phase on Mon 14th Sep

Mon 14th Sep

Waxing Crescent
9 % illuminated
Dark from 20:07 to 04:18
Dark for 8h 10m
Moon phase on Tue 15th Sep

Tue 15th Sep

Waxing Crescent
16 % illuminated
Dark from 20:04 to 04:20
Dark for 8h 15m
Moon phase on Wed 16th Sep

Wed 16th Sep

Waxing Crescent
24 % illuminated
Dark from 20:00 to 04:23
Dark for 8h 22m
Moon phase on Thu 17th Sep

Thu 17th Sep

First Quarter
33 % illuminated
Dark from 19:57 to 04:25
Dark for 8h 27m
Moon phase on Fri 18th Sep

Fri 18th Sep

First Quarter
42 % illuminated
Dark from 20:11 to 04:28
Dark for 8h 17m

Find more dates

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

Calendar

Forthcoming events

Below is a list of events at Dornoch Station Hotel. View these events on our calendar, add them to your calendar or Google Calendar.

  • Astrophotography at Dornoch Station Hotel

    Thursday 1st October 2026 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Dornoch Station Hotel, Dornoch, IV25 3LF

    More info

  • Astrophotography at Dornoch Station Hotel

    Friday 2nd October 2026 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Dornoch Station Hotel, Dornoch, IV25 3LF

    More info

  • Astrophotography at Dornoch Station Hotel

    Saturday 3rd October 2026 from 19:00pm to 21:00pm

    Dornoch Station Hotel, Dornoch, IV25 3LF

    More info

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