I’m starting off The Writing Life with a post for a friend of mine that I admire who recently accomplished something incredible. I have long been planning to write about getaway places I recommend for creatives and writers so felt this was the perfect post to start with!

Enjoy!

Let’s talk about fires, books, stars, and cozy times…

Meet Chris McCrindle, a Scotsman, ship’s navigator, and a man driven to create an oasis of calm in a world of noise.

Chris can be found diving in the cold lochs of Scotland.

Chris and I connected through our love of books back in 2020 when he read my novel, The Lost Valor of Love. In response to some of my posts on IG, he shared encouraging thoughts about relationships, healing from trauma, and just trying to make sense of a world where things were changing faster than the speed of light. I found him to be an interesting and kind-hearted person and was fascinated by his work as a ship’s navigator. I later learned he lived deep in a forest in Scotland where he could enjoy silence and peace and clear, unpolluted night skies.

At work in the North Sea, Chris navigates the ship as it moves an oil rig.

It was during this time I also learned Chris was building something unique that celebrated both the unspoiled Scottish sky and the forest’s pristine nature and wildlife in a glorious fashion.

It was a Herculean project, and one he, for the most part, accomplished and financed himself - the building and outfitting of the largest geodome in Scotland, named The Dark Sky Dome, built especially for travelers looking for a true reset from life - under the stars.

The ultimate glamping escape in Scotland.

His website states The Dark Sky Dome is: “The largest Geodesic Dome in Scotland situated in the heart of the Carrick Forest within the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park. It is an ideal getaway for those wanting to experience the wilds of South West Scotland whilst having the full comforts of home.

Whether you are a couple looking for a weekend break, an author or artist looking to stay somewhere to find creativity or a family of 4 wanting to spend quality time together the dome is for you.

“Galloway Forest Park is the largest Forest in the UK. The Dark Sky Dome is situated in the heart of the Carrick Forest, within the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, Scotland. The geodesic dome provides a peaceful and unique stay, with all the comforts of home.”

Enjoy your own private view of the night sky from the dome’s mezzanine floor.

The Dark Sky Dome is located in the Carrick Forest at Tallaminnoch (from Scottish Gaelic ‘talamh meadhanach’ meaning the ‘Middle Ground’. Surrounded by miles of Forest, Lochs, and moorland.

The Galloway Forest is a paradise for walkers and hikers. The Merrick is a Corbet of 843m and is the highest knuckle of the Awful Hand range, making it the highest hill in the South of Scotland. There are at least 10 Grahams (hills over 610m) in the Park. There is so much to explore that one might spend a whole month starting from the dome and rarely repeat a walk.

FACILITIES & AMENITIES

Central Heating, Log burner, Fully Fitted Kitchen with 4 ring hob and twin oven, freezer, an enclosed toilet and shower room, Kingsize bed. There are 2 mezzanine nets which are accessed via a spiral staircase. The nets are perfect to lie under the 4m wide skylight and see the stars whilst being warm and cosy or lie and read a book whilst the clouds fly past overhead. The larger net supports up to a 1000kg and the smaller net 120Kg.

For groups of 3 or 4 guests will have a double futon. There is also the option to sleep on the nets. The dome is only suitable for people of 12 + years and they have a no pets policy due to the surrounding wildlife.

Chris faced many setbacks bringing this geodome to life but he never gave up, when many others would have. His grit, determination, and vision to build this beautiful refuge for creatives, nomads, and nature and astronomy lovers is a rare gift in a world of fast consumption and instant gratifcation.

If you have the desire to get back to nature, sleep under the stars, and wake up to the sounds of untouched nature, then you need to put this on your bucket list.

As a writer, I can think of no better place to reach into my deepest well of creativity than under the gaze of an entire galaxy of stars.

Chris has extended a 10% booking discount to anyone who mentions this code EACARTER2022

You can contact Chris to access this discount here.

Alternatively, you can book his dome via Airbnb without the discount here.

I am not an affiliate of The Dark Sky Dome. I just wrote this to support an awesome person, their dream, and their dome. And to thank them for being there for me when the chips were down.

Until next time.

E A