The site is located in the northern edge of the Galloway Forest's Dark Sky Park, and within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, enjoying relatively low levels of light pollution.

The observatory was constructed during 2012 and was officially opened by the then First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond.

[1] The building and facilities were extended in 2017 by a design team led by Beecher Architect with the addition of a planetarium, officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran John Duncan.

[2][3][4][5] The SDSO was open year round with its principal aim being to encourage people of all ages and abilities to learn about and experience the wonders of astronomy and space.

[7] In late 2023, following the results of an independent feasibility study, the Board of Trustees of the SDSO confirmed that, for a number of reasons, the observatory will not be rebuilt on its former site.