The Night Sky

Winter is also a special time to visit. A naturally warm cottage, there is full central heating throughout to ensure a comfortable stay. As an officially recognised "dark sky area", on clear nights the stargazing is fantastic. From October the "northern lights" may be visible.

The cottage is a metereologists dream because the weather systems roll in straight off the Atlantic Ocean and can be watched in comfort from the sofa, whilst enjoying a drink beside the purring gas fire. There is nothing between this cottage and Canada except the deep blue sea.

See the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

In winter, Balranald Bay View provides the perfect antidote to a hectic lifestyle.

One of the best "dark sky" areas in Europe. The stars, Milky Way and constellations are simply astonishing on clear nights even to the naked eye.

The Northern Lights make regular appearances from October. The view of the Aurora from the cottage as it reflects in the sea is jaw dropping!

Aurora borealis, North Uist

Northern lights, North Uist, Outer Hebrides

Northern lights reflecting in the sea, North Uist, Scotland

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The Moon

The dark skies allow wonderful views of the moon and seeing the moon reflected over the sea is an unforgettable sight.

Moon over the water

Moonset

A wonderful sight - the moon reflected in the sea

Full moon

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Milky Way panorama, North Uist, Scotland

Milky way

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Stargazing and The Milky Way

The best time of year to see the Milky Way in the UK is from mid April to mid July. It is visible for shorter periods of time from late February to late September. The best views are during the 2 weeks around the new moon, when the sky is darkest. This is also a good time for star gazing, looking for nebulae and any visible planets.