Wigtown Book Festival: Big Bang 2021

The inspiration for Big Bang Week, comes from the pristine skies of Galloway’s Dark Sky Park on the doorstep of Scotland’s Book Town. Freelance ranger Elizabeth Tindal explains.  The big bang was the start of the universe as we know it. It came from a single point and expanded outwards. Big Bang Week 2021 (3-6 March) is similarly expansive, starting at Wigtown and spreading outwards, via the internet, to interested parties across the planet. 

We are blessed that Wigtown is situated amid world class natural and cultural heritage. The UNESCO designated Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere surrounds us, and we are especially lucky that our Biosphere has a very special place at its heart, the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park.

The Galloway Dark Sky Park was designated by the International Dark-Sky Association in 2009. It was the first Dark Sky Park in Britain and also Europe and the fourth on Earth, which makes it pretty special. It is a gold tier Dark Sky Park meaning that Wigtown is right beside one of the darkest places on Earth and boasts some pretty dark skies itself. From there you can see across our universe – just the right place to host a space themed week.

Streaming live on the Wigtown Festival website.  Tickets Free but must be booked.