The telescope which has allowed Scottish scientists to study the stars for 45 years has been given a new home.
Since 1967, the 20 inch Grubb Parsons has been the only working telescope at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh.
During the refurbishment of the observatory on Blackford Hill in Edinburgh, it will be replaced with a new £40,000 state-of-the-art apparatus.
As it is still in good condition, the observatory decided to donate it to a group who could use it for teaching or public outreach. Bids came in from the UK, Europe and America and the equipment is being donated to the Mid Kent Astronomical Society.
On Monday, workers stared dissembling the telescope, removing the enormous mirrors which allow scientists to look into space.
The rest will be shipped down to Kent in the summer.
