The Night Sky in Dornoch

They came from Brora and Carbisdale, Ardross and Struie – and there were nearly 40 people in the hall at Dornoch & District Social Club to hear Bill Leslie introducing the night sky.

"The aim was to help everyone find their way round the autumn and winter skies," he says. "Images of the night sky taken by members of the amateur astronomy community in Moray and the Highlands showed the stunning sights which can be seen, not just with telescopes, but with binoculars and the naked eye."

It was a night of pouring rain, so the presentation had to be indoors only, but it laid the foundations for the audience to go out on future frosty nights and recognise some of the sights.

And despite the rain, there were after the tea/coffee break, plenty of questions for Bill.

Bill Leslie was born and brought up in Dornoch and spent all his school years at Dornoch Academy. After graduating from Edinburgh University, he spent a time in industry before embarking on a teaching career in Moray. Since retiring, he has found a passion for astronomy. As a member of Moray’s Astronomy Club, Sigma, and of the Highlands Astronomical Society, he frequently gives talks to primary schools and to youth and adult groups.

A regular contributor to science festivals around the north of  Scotland and keen participant in the Dark Sky Scotland project, he is frequently seen surrounded by clouds during his demonstrations of comet making from dry ice. Bill is eagerly looking forward to a return to Dornoch, to the building where he rose to the rank of Seconder in the local Cub Pack over 50 years ago.

Venue: Dornoch & District Social Club

Time: 7.30 pm on Tuesday 11 November

The Seven Sisters – the Pleiades, photographed by Alan Tough

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