Popular Scots beauty spot named among best in Europe to see rare ‘Strawberry Moon' this week
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It was the only place in Scotland named on the top list
STAR ATTRACTION Popular Scots beauty spot named among best in Europe to see rare 'Strawberry Moon' this week
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A SECLUDED and breathtaking Scottish beauty spot has been named one of Europe's top locations to view this week's 'Strawberry Moon'.
This rare celestial event refers to the time of year rather than the moon's colour and is thought to have been named by Native American tribes.
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The almost full Strawberry moon rises up in to clear evening sky
Credit: Alamy
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The name refers to the time of the year - and is one of the lowest moons in the year
Credit: Alamy
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Glencoe was named one of the best places to gaze at the moon on Wednesday night
Credit: Getty
Full Moons are traditionally given nicknames reflecting nature's seasonal changes.
For instance, February's is called the Snow Moon, while July's is the Buck Moon, marking the time male deer start growing their antlers.
The Strawberry Moon, often the year's lowest full moon due to the Earth's tilt, hasn't been this near the horizon since 2006 and won't be again until 2043.
Its closeness to the horizon can sometimes give it a reddish hue.
This year's Strawberry Moon will appear tomorrow evening.
The best places to view such phenomena are those with minimal light pollution, providing optimal dark skies.
This comes after research revealed 62 per cent of travellers said they are considering visiting darker sky destinations and seeking starbathing experiences in 2025.
The International Dark Sky Parks (IDSPs) has certified Dark Sky areas across Europe which are protected from light pollution.
These areas, established in 2001, help to preserve the clear night's sky, allowing travellers to enjoy star-filled nights.
And Winstons Beds has compiled a list of Europe's top ten stargazing destinations.
Incredible video shows how US will mine the MOON to help humans establish new home in space
The sole Scottish entry is Glencoe, a settlement in Glen Coe, Lochaber, famed for its pristine skies and lack of artificial light.
Located roughly two and a half hours from Glasgow and three hours from Edinburgh, it lies between Scotland's central belt and Inverness.
Elsewhere, La Palma in the Canary Islands was named Europe's top stargazing site, thanks to strict light pollution laws that preserve its clear night skies.
Second on the list is Hella in Iceland, a remote town known for its exceptionally dark skies due to its isolated setting.
Completing the top five are County Kerry in Ireland, Ylläs in Finland, and Northumberland National Park in England.
Other destinations include Tuscany in Italy, Haute-Pyrénées in France, Stevns Klint in Denmark, and Aenos National Park in Greece.
Rebecca Swain from Winstons Beds said: 'Stargazing is not only captivating but also promotes wellbeing, helping to rebalance the nervous system and encourage relaxation.
10 best stargazing spots in Europe La Palma, Canary Islands Hella, Iceland County Kerry, Republic of Ireland Ylläs, Finland Northumberland National Park, England Tuscany, Italy Haute-Pyrénées, France Glencoe, Scotland Stevns Klint, Denmark Aenos National Park, Greece (source: WinstonBeds.com)
'For those seeking calm and adventure, Europe offers countless serene locations where you can enjoy tranquility and breathtaking celestial views.
"Experiencing natural darkness can help regulate the body's circadian rhythm, creating stillness and wonder.'
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