Reach For The Stars At Dumfries Museum

Dumfries Museum is inviting visitors to discover the amazing astronomical history of the building and find out how to get the most out of star gazing at home. On the evening of Saturday 12October and repeated on Saturday 19October, there will be the opportunity to meet with members of the Dumfries Astronomy Society to learn what we can see with the naked eye, binoculars, and telescopes.

Visitors can learn how to find some basic features to navigate around the night sky from our latitude and how this revolves throughout the winter months. The museum will be open to discover the building's connections to astronomy and explore some related artefacts such as those which belonged to Robert Waland, the Dumfries man whose work developing lenses helped map the moon for the lunar landings.

Dumfries Museum was originally established by the Dumfries and Maxwelltown Astronomical Society back in 1836 and their original telescope can still be seen today in the Observatory room.

Admission is free to these special events. All ages welcome, there is no need to book, visitors can just turn up. Hot drinks will be provided, and we advise wearing warm clothing for the outdoor parts of the display.