As part of our Dumfries & Galloway in four seasons events, a group of befrienders and young people met at Mabie Forest to take part in some dark sky activities with ranger, Elizabeth Tindal.

Everyone was issued with a head torch and instructed to turn it to a red light, to allow our eyes to adjust to the dark. Using a lazer pointer Elizabeth identified some of the stars that were just visible through the clouds.

We walked through the forest to a field, where we turned off the torches and attempted to experience the dark and stillness – not easy for some!  After walking through a forest trail, we gathered under a shelter, split into groups, working together to making  rockets, using plastic bottles, tape and lights. Each group got the chance to set off their rocket, using a track pump, to a cheering crowd.

One befriender said, “it was a fantastic night and my young person thinks it’s the best thing we’ve done together so far!”

Thank you to the Befrienders and young people for the above photos.

#DGBP