The Trustees of the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory seek to appoint two new Trustees, who they would like to be drawn from residents of the area relatively local to Clatteringshaws Loch.
The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory – Appointment of Trustees
The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is a registered charity whose principal charitable purpose is:
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.
Established in 2011, the Trust built an astronomical observatory near the village of Dalmellington, East Ayrshire, which
became fully operational in early 2013. It was unique in Scotland. The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory (SDSO) was open
to everyone, including amateur and professional astronomers, youth groups, organisations, clubs, schools and
universities, and became recognised throughout Scotland as a facility for the enjoyment of astronomy and its related
sciences, offering educational, training and leisure activities to all sectors of the population.
In June 2021 the SDSO, along with the entirety of its equipment and contents, was destroyed by fire. The entire UK
astronomy community was shaken by the loss of an outstanding educational and tourism facility. The Trustees received
final settlement of the entire insurance claim in April 2023.
Following the fire, the Trustees commissioned a feasibility study to determine the true potential for future growth and
sustainability of the SDSO in its former location. The study concluded that the previous site location was not
recommended for redevelopment and, accordingly, the Trustees began the search for an alternative site that would
offer the best chance of long-term success and sustainability.
After many months of thorough searching, we identified the former Forestry & Land Scotland ‘Clatteringshaws Visitor
Centre Complex’ (CVCC) as the prime location on which to carry out redevelopment plans to create a first-class, publicly
accessible astronomical observatory, planetarium, and education and engagement centre in one of the very darkest
parts of the internationally celebrated Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park. We successfully completed our purchase of the
CVCC, along with almost 4 acres of land, on 29 November 2024.
We have appointed an architect and design team and have completed RIBA Stage 1 of the design and development
process, which will see the existing CVCC building redeveloped by means of an imaginative yet sympathetic extension.
With the proceeds of the insurance claim and the support of a grant from South of Scotland Enterprise, the Trustees
believe that they are in a strong position to begin the construction phase. However, further grant funding will need to
be secured to ensure we are able to create and equip the best possibly facility from which to operate for many years
into the future.
The SDSO now seeks to appoint two further trustees, to be sourced from the local area (within an ideally approximately
30 mile radius) of the Clatteringshaws site. This is an exciting opportunity for interested parties to become involved in
and help shape the future of the SDSO charitable enterprise. Prospective Trustees should be fully committed to the
aims of the SDSO, although experience in astronomy is not crucial. In addition, new trustees will need demonstrate one
or more of the following:
• good links to local Government and community groups within Galloway, Dumfriesshire and the Galloway Forest
Dark Sky Park
• a good degree of general financial or business experience
• experience in project management of capital projects
• a practical engineering, electronic or scientific background
• experience of, or a demonstrable degree of success in, fundraising for charitable or social organisations
• experience of working in support of tourism and/or heritage enterprises
• Willingness to participate in and support activities at the SDSO, as may be required from time to time, when it
becomes fully operational
At present, the majority of meetings of the Trustees are held by Teams/Zoom and written communication is by e-mail,
therefore, please note, online access is essential.
Meetings of the Trustees can be held during both daytime and evenings (occasionally including weekends if something
needs to be discussed/decided urgently). There will be a degree of ‘in-person’ attendance requested at CVCC site
meetings with the architect and design team as we develop our plans.
Submission of Applications
Please submit your application by e-mail to info@sdso.org.uk (including the reasons for your interest in applying, the
relevant experience you offer and your full contact details) by Monday 31 March 2025.
The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
Registered Office:
3 Wellington Square
Ayr KA7 1EN
Tel:
07999 027665
E-mail: info@sdso.org.uk
Trustees and Management of the SDSO
The Board of Trustees of the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory comprises the following Directors:
Marc Charron – Chairman
Marc is a Business & Computer Science graduate, whose career took him into systems integration and later into
pharmaceuticals.
He has had a long-term interest in astronomy and is a keen astrophotographer. Marc is a member of both the Ayrshire
Astronomical Society and the British Astronomical Association.
Marc initially became involved in the project as a volunteer in 2016, has been a Trustee of the SDSO since 2019 and has
served as Chairman since 2020.
Peter Kennerley – Treasurer
Peter is a solicitor who has worked in private practice in London and in industry in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Peter joined the Board of the SDSO in 2019.
His other appointments include Trustee of the Boswell Book Festival and member of the River Doon District Salmon
Fishery Board.
Dr Nicholas (Nick) Martin – Secretary
Nick achieved a degree in Microbiology from Edinburgh University where he later completed a Ph.D. on ‘The
Microbiology of Peat’. Now retired, he previously worked as Senior Lecturer in microbiology with Scottish Agricultural
College, following which he was a part-time lecturer with Ayrshire College.
Nick has had a lifelong interest in astronomy, photography and astrophotography and is a member of the British
Astronomical Association. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society.
Nick has been a Trustee of the SDSO since 2013 and previously served three years as the Board’s Chairman.
SDSO Business & Operations Manager
Fiona (Fi) McClelland
With a background in business development, sales, marketing, accounts and event management, Fi
has been involved with the SDSO project since January 2014. She secured grant funding for the 2017 planetarium
extension and assisted in its project management and successful delivery. She also secured revenue funding to support
the ongoing operation of a portable planetarium. In addition, in 2024, Fi secured £200k of funding from South of
Scotland Enterprise which assisted the outright purchase of the Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre Complex as the SDSO’s
new home base.
In her role as Manager, Fi developed the business, established collaborative and co-promotional relationships and
expanded the facilities, activities and offerings of the charitable enterprise.
Fi will, in tandem with our architect, project manage the redevelopment of the Clatteringshaws site and lead the
development of the new facility.