This article was created by National Geographic Traveler (UK).
With some of the darkest skies in Europe, it's no wonder Scotland is a frequent destination for stargazers. You can often see vivid skyscapes that clearly show constellations such as the Milky Way, Orion, and sometimes even the aurora borealis. Some regions have taken additional steps to ensure the stars remain visible. Moffat in southern Scotland was designated Europe's first dark-sky town after introducing dedicated streetlights to avoid light pollution, and many others, including Rum and Col in the Inner Hebrides and North Ronaldsay in Orkney, The islands are also designated as dark sky areas.
There's no denying that Scotland comes alive in the moonlight. Captivating night skies are combined with activities that take in the rugged terrain and neoclassical architecture, from kayaking and ziplining to spooky walking tours. Here's what you can do under cover of night:
1. Cycling, Dumfries and Galloway
Galloway Forest Park, located in south-west Scotland, has been a Dark Sky Park since 2009. Very few people live within the boundaries of the approximately 200,000 acre woodland, which is Britain's largest woodland park and the heart of Galloway and South Ayrshire. UNESCO Biosphere – Unpolluted skies offer unobstructed views of the Milky Way and the Northern Lights. Get off the road and look for constellations on a mountain bike with a local guide. If the normally illuminated sky is covered in clouds, nearby Kirkcubbright's Dark Space Planetarium offers 360-degree immersive projections of the region and beyond.
How to do it: Galloway Activity Center, based on the shores of Lake Ken, leads night-time cycling groups of at least three people throughout the winter. The cost is £75 per person, including a powerboat ride across the lake. Dark Space Planetarium in Kirkcudbright is a 30-minute drive away. Admission prices start from £6.

An illuminated ziplining trail runs through the forest on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Photo courtesy of Visit Scotland

Go on a nighttime mountain biking adventure and look for constellations. Photo courtesy of Visit Scotland
2. Zipline, Aviemore
Britain's largest national park, the Cairngorms' rugged terrain makes the area an ideal haven for climbers, cyclists, swimmers and dark zipliners. In Aviemore, a village on the border of the national park, travelers can zip through trees, cross rushing rivers and fly over deep snow on multi-colored, light-lit zipline trails. On a clear night, it's clear why this region earned international Dark Sky status in 2018. The pitch-black sky is studded with stars.
How to do it: G2 Outdoor holds overnight ziplines in Aviemore from late October to early January each year. Experiences last between 60 and 90 minutes and cost £48 per person.
3. Gothic Walking Tour, Glasgow
Scotland's largest city is famous for its Gothic architecture, most of which was built around 13th-century cathedrals and influenced the Age of Dark Literature. Fans of the genre will love following tour guide Vincent P. through the city, from the area once known as the “Murder Square Mile” to the gruesome methods and machines used for torture. Spend two hours retelling the story. . You'll also have the chance to explore some of Glasgow's most famous streets. Argyle Street is now the city's longest street, known for acclaimed restaurants such as The Gannett.
How to join: The Gothic Glasgow Tour runs from Wednesday to Sunday and starts outside the King's Theater in Glasgow city center at 8pm. Tickets are £12 per person and recommended for ages 14 and over.
4. The Real Mary Kings Close, Edinburgh
The Royal Mile, which leads to the fortified Edinburgh Castle, is perhaps the most famous thoroughfare in the Old City. Beneath what was the city's Royal Exchange, which has been repurposed to house the city council and the luxury aparthotel Cheval Old Town Chambers, lie four narrow closings, including Mary King's Close. Go deep underground (and back in time) to learn about 400 years of history of the houses and the people who lived in them on a guided tour of old streets and preserved 17th-century rooms .
How to join: The Real Mary Kings Close offers hour-long tours just off the Royal Mile in Walliston's Close. Tickets start from £22.50.

Mary King's Close is a 17th century historic close preserved beneath the present-day streets of Edinburgh. Photo courtesy of Visit Scotland
(How to spend the day taking a tram to Edinburgh's lively port district of Leith.)
5. Bungee jumping, Perthshire
Many thrill seekers want to cross bungee jumping off their bucket list. But jet-black drops are another challenge. Known as Europe's only blackout bungee jump, you can drop 130 feet over the River Garry from a purpose-built bungee platform an hour's drive north of Perth. If you're feeling brave, this disorientating but hair-raising experience is open year-round for ages 14 and up.
How to join: Highland Fling Bungy is located at Killiecrankie Visitor Center and must be booked online in advance. Due to limited availability, we recommend booking at least several months in advance. Blackout bungees cost £99 per person.
6. Snorkeling, Oban
Led by a marine biologist on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands, this 3-5 hour snorkeling experience introduces you to the bioluminescent aquatic life that inhabits Scotland's coast. Oban's small population of just over 8,000 people means there is little light pollution, so if you go out at night you can enjoy a sparkling star-studded sky. With expert guides and instructors, explore the region's cold-water coral reefs, kelp forests, and seagrass meadows, and even get a chance to see marine life below the surface.
How to join: Wildlife and watersports tour operator Basking Shark Scotland runs tours from September to April and is open to ages 8 and up. No qualifications are required for snorkeling, but underwater proficiency is required. The cost is £120 per person.

Photo courtesy of Visit Scotland
7. Wildlife Safari, Dornoch
Using innovative thermal imaging technology, visitors to Scotland's outer reaches can observe the nocturnal nature of Highland wildlife, including deer, badgers, hedgehogs and endangered pine martens. Tours are conducted in small groups of 1 to 4 people and allow participants to see the animals in their natural environment. An immersive tour led by an expert local guide provides a new perspective on this species and Sutherland's vast landscape.
How to do it: Connell Outdoor Pursuits in Dornoch runs safaris from September to April each year. Tours cost £75 per person and must be arranged by telephone. Guests of the nearby Royal Golf Hotel can book through the property.
(Why the Scottish Highlands are the UK's best birdwatching destination.)
8. Kayak, Tay Country
This east coast region, which includes Perth, Dundee and St Andrews, is perfect for stargazing. You can also observe rare astronomical phenomena and optical phenomena such as shooting stars and lunar rainbows (a type of rainbow produced by moonlight rather than direct sunlight). There's no better place to see it all than kayaking on the River Tay or River Islay. Two main routes take kayakers through Perth's city center or along the water, past the V&A Museum on the banks of the River Dundee.
How: Outdoor Explore departs on evening tours from Clooney Loch every other Friday until the end of February. Spaces cost from £29 and can be booked online.