Scottish area named among best in Europe to see rare 'Strawberry Moon'
A Scottish beauty spot has been named among the top stargazing spots in Europe. It comes amid reports that a 'Strawberry Moon' is set to be visible in UK skies this week.
A Strawberry Moon is the name given to the full moon that occurs in June. It is considered a rare celestial event, and many will be looking up to the skies to catch a glimpse on Wednesday, June 11.
WinstonsBeds have rounded up 10 destinations with the darkest skies that offer the best experience for observing the Strawberry Moon. Coming in at number eight, and the only Scottish location to appear, is Glencoe.
Glencoe is the primary settlement in Glen Coe within the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands. It is renowned for its dark skies and minimal light pollution.
As a result of its optimal conditions, the starry night sky is clearly visible around Glencoe. That makes the beauty spot perfect for those who wish to have a good chance of catching a good view of the Strawberry Moon.
Glencoe is situated about halfway between Glasgow and Inverness, being approximately two hours and 15 minutes from both by car. It can also be reached from Edinburgh in around three hours.
Elsewhere, La Palma in the Canary Islands was named the top stargazing spot in Europe ahead of the Strawberry Moon. According to the experts, light pollution laws on the island ensure that environmental conditions allow for clear night skies—making it an ideal destination for stargazing.
Meanwhile, coming in at number two on WinstonsBeds' roundup is Hella in Iceland. Hella is a remote town that offers some of the darkest night skies in Iceland thanks to its isolated location.
Rounding out the top five places for stargazing on the experts' list are County Kerry in the Republic of Ireland, Ylläs in Finland, and the Northumberland National Park in England. Other locations featured on the list are Tuscany in Italy, Haute-Pyrénées in France, Stevns Klint in Denmark, and the Aenos National Park in Greece.
Rebecca Swain from WinstonsBeds said: "Spending time in nature and stargazing isn't only mesmerising but also offers great benefits for wellbeing, such as rebalancing the nervous system and creating a sense of relaxation.
"For those who love to explore and are looking for some calm, there are countless wonderful places across Europe where you can enjoy tranquility while having the experience of a lifetime.
"From Greece to Finland, peaceful locations offering breathtaking celestial views can help regulate the body's circadian rhythm by allowing you to experience the stillness of natural darkness."
As , the name 'Strawberry Moon' is believed to have come from Native American tribes. Although it is usually the lowest full moon of the year, it has not appeared so low in the sky since 2006—and won't again until 2043.
See below for the full list of the top 10 stargazing spots in Europe. Additional information can be found on the WinstonsBeds.com website.
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
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