Oor Big Braw Cosmos Book Week Events

Oor Big Braw Cosmos – A Blether about Astronomy and Poetry

Galloway is known for its stars and the Dark Skies in Galloway can be looked at in different ways. You can appreciate them as a scientist or an artist or, of course, both!

This free event celebrates the combining of science and art that created Oor Big Braw Cosmos – A Cocktail of Cosmic Science, Imagery & Poetry. This book has been jointly written by The Astronomer Royal (and semi-pro magician), John Brown, and Rab Wilson, Scriever in Residence for the National Trust for Scotland. Come and blether to the authors in Kirkcudbright, soon to be the home of a new Dark Skies visitor centre.

John and Rab will chat about astronomy, poetry and what the universe means to them with Elizabeth Tindal, Biosphere Dark Sky Ranger, against a background of images and readings from Oor Big Braw Cosmos.     This event is aimed primarily at an adult audience, although children will be welcomed as they are the scientists and artists of the future.  There will be time for a chat and book signing after the event.

​A second free and family-friendly event is being held at Glentrool, where the authors and Elizabeth will go out into the night to see the universe for real. There will be stargazing and readings from the book out in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park.

Oor Big Braw Cosmos book cover

The Science and Poetry of our Dark Skies

Dark Skies and stars have always inspired scientists and artists. This free stargazing event will combine the best of both. Authors John Brown and Rab Wilson will venture out into the dark of the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park to read from their new book under the stars.

There are not many books that combine astronomy and poetry, but Oor Big Braw Cosmos – A Cocktail of Cosmic Science, Imagery & Poetry is one of them. The book has been jointly written by The Astronomer Royal (and semi-pro magician), John Brown, and Rab Wilson, Scriever in Residence for the National Trust for Scotland.

​Elizabeth Tindal, who is a Biosphere Dark Sky Ranger, will lead a stargazing walk into the darkness of the Galloway Forest, and will talk about darkness and stars and their stories, both scientific and mythical. John and Rab will read from the book and discuss their inspirations, creating a mix of science, poetry and the real universe all woven together.

After our walk outdoors, Elizabeth and the authors will invite you to join them in a hot drink and a snack at Glentrool Old School to continue the conversation. Oor Big Braw Cosmos will be available to be signed.

Please make sure that you dress up warmly for this event and wear outdoor footwear. If the weather is not suitable to be outside, we have an indoor venue available.

There will be another chance to have a blether with Elizabeth and the Oor Big Braw Cosmos authors at Kirkcudbright Galleries during the afternoon.

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