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A conference in Gatehouse of Fleet will showcase the region as “one of the best places on the planet to go stargazing”.

Europe’s first ever Dark Sky Places gathering is taking place at the Cally Palace Hotel in a bid to promote the preservation of dark skies across the world.

Keith Muir, tourism and recreation manager for Forest Enterprise Scotland, said: “With world-class speakers and delegates coming to the event, we’re guaranteed to have great discussions and a chance to learn more from the experts.

“Speakers will tackle the debates surrounding light pollution and the built environment.

“The workshops will share best practice and find solutions how we can preserve our precious dark sky places.

“The event is also great news for the region as it will help reinforce that the Galloway Dark Sky Park is one of the best places on the planet to go stargazing.”

The conference is being held from September 20 to 22.

Speakers include John Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland; astronomer Dr Al Grauer; and physicist and Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society Christopher Baddiley.

Astronomers, lighting specialists, town planners, environmentalists and academics are due to attend the conference.

Forming the heart of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, the Galloway Forest Park is equal in size to 75,000 football pitches and was designated Dark Sky Status in November, 2009.

A Forestry Commission Scotland spokesman added: “The park is at the core of the regional lighting LED improvement plan which, over the past two years, has greatly improved the ability to observe the night sky, further enhancing the its gold tier status.”

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