“Connections” Sensory Night Walks, Dark Sky Festival SW Scotland

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Night Nature Immersion Experience

Immerse yourself in the nocturnal world and discover nature after dark. Slow down and take part in a guided sensory experience led by Andrew Macdonald of Exhibit Scotland.

Combining wildlife watching, nature connection activities and mindful exploration, this unique evening experience offers an opportunity to engage with the natural world in a whole new way. Expect sensory discoveries, nocturnal wildlife encounters, storytelling and time to appreciate the sights and sounds of the night.

Important Information

This is an all-weather event. Unless there are high winds or other unsafe conditions, the event will proceed. Participants should dress appropriately for spending time outdoors on autumn evenings.

We recommend bringing:

Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers (particularly useful for sitting or kneeling on wet ground)
Sturdy walking footwear suitable for uneven and potentially muddy terrain

The walks may include woodland trails, muddy paths, shoreline sections, grassland and fields. While routes are chosen to be accessible to a broad audience, there may be uneven surfaces, unlit sections and varied terrain. Please consider your own comfort and mobility levels before booking.

Maximum group size: 6 participants per walk

Age: 11+
Young people under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Dates and Locations

Stinchar Walk

Friday 9 October to Monday 12 October
Sunday 18 October

Meeting point: Old Stinchar Bridge

Shore Explore

Wednesday 14 October to Saturday 17 October

Meeting point: Bus stop opposite Shellknowe Garage

Start time: 9.00pm

What to Expect

The evening may include:

Welcome circle and night-walk safety briefing
Introduction to nature immersion
Exploring the natural world using different types of light
Listening for bats and detecting their echolocation using a bat detector
Observing nocturnal wildlife using infrared equipment
A hot drink and storytelling break
Opportunities to slow down and connect with nature
Capturing memorable moments for photography and social media
Closing reflection and group discussion

If conditions allow, we will also spend time observing the night sky. Because of this, finish times may vary depending on weather and viewing conditions.

Your Guide

Andrew Macdonald is a naturalist, ecotherapy practitioner, outdoor leader and environmental educator. He is the Managing Director of Exhibit Scotland and presenter of the Biosphere Live digital access broadcasts.

Andrew is a multi-award-winning nature filmmaker and photographer with over 20 years’ experience delivering outdoor learning and wellbeing programmes for organisations including SAMH, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Forestry, Apex Scotland, Borders Forest Trust, Scottish Waterways Trust, Plantlife Scotland and NHS Scotland.

He holds a First Aid in the Outdoors qualification and is accredited through the GSA Biosphere Certification Mark programme.

Places are limited to just six participants per walk, so early booking is recommended.

Friday 9 October - Sunday 18 October 2026

9pm

11.55

38, Main Street, Ballantrae KA26 0NB