The Astronomical Society of Glasgow (ASG) approached Mugdock Country Park with a proposal to build an observatory to the north of the Park site. The ASG had been bequeathed a sum of money by a former president of the Society and so the Eric Tomney Memorial Observatory (ETMO) was born.

The Mugdock Joint Management Committee met the ASG and the ideas for the observatory were outlined by the Society and positively received by the Park. Detailed plans for the observatory have now been worked up and planning permission has been obtained.