01 Identity
Scottish charity record
- OSCR charity number
- SC042329
- Status
- Active
- Regulatory type
- Standard
- Designated religious body
- No
- Geographical spread
- Scotland and other parts of the UK
- Volunteers
- 1-50 volunteers
- Staff
- 1
- Postcode
- KA7 1EN
02 Purpose and work
What the charity exists to do
Our charity was was formed to facilitate the advancement of science, education, the arts and environmental protection to be achieved by the construction of a new astronomical observatory to complement the Galloway Forest Park's 'International Dark-Sky Association 'gold tier' Dark Sky Park status (awarded 2009). Our former facility, which opened to the public in January 2013, suffered a devastating fire in June 2021. Since that time we have been focussed on settling our insurance claim, we have purchased a new premises in a much more advantageous location, appointed an architect and formed our Design Team. In December 2025 we submitted our application for planning consent to redevelop and extend the existing premises and eagerly await the outcome. In the meantime, while we progress the development of our new premises, we continue to participate in public engagement, offering educational outreach activities in the fields of astronomy, STEM and environmental protection.
Charitable purposes
- the advancement of education
- the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science
- the provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended
- the advancement of environmental protection or improvement
Beneficiaries
- No specific group, or for the benefit of the community
Activities
- It carries out activities or services itself
Constitutional objectives
2. The charitable purposes of the Company are: 2.1 The advancement of science, education, the arts and environmental protection by the construction of an astronomical observatory to complement the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park and other Dark Sky locations throughout Scotland. 2.2 The provision of recreational facilities and the organization of recreational activities to advance interest amongst, and the education of, the general public in the science of astronomy and other related subjects. 2.3 To foster, promote and advance awareness of the importance of environmental protection and regeneration. 2.4 Any other purpose that may reasonably be regarded as analogous to any of the preceding purposes.
03 Annual returns
Income and expenditure history
| Year end | Income | Expenditure | Staff | Return received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 May 2025 | £246,379 | £54,209 | 1 | 9 February 2026 |
| 31 May 2024 | £45,784 | £41,987 | 1 | 18 December 2024 |
| 31 May 2023 | £1,422,945 | £79,017 | 1 | 27 February 2024 |
| 31 May 2022 | £116,341 | £691,548 | 1 | 1 March 2023 |
| 31 May 2021 | £85,096 | £75,886 | 1 | 24 February 2022 |
Figures are those reported by the charity and supplied in the OSCR bulk download. Blank facts remain distinct from zero.
04 Contact record
Principal office or trustees address
- Address supplied to OSCR
- C/o Azets, 3 Wellington Square, Ayr, Ayrshire
- Website supplied to OSCR
- www.scottishdarkskyobservatory.co.uk
- Parent charity
- Not supplied
No direct external links on this profile. The official OSCR record and source documentation are available through BritDB’s dedicated source page.
05 Provenance
Source for this profile
© Crown Copyright and database right 2026. Contains information from the Scottish Charity Register supplied by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. BritDB is an independent service and does not claim to be the Scottish Charity Register.