RSPB Loch Garten
RSPB Loch Garten
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre has recently undergone a major refurbishment & is now open for visitors to the end of August - the rest of the reserve is open all year round. Covid measures are in place for everyone's safety. Loch Garten is part of RSPB Abernethy reserve & the centre is in stunning Caledonian pineforest, a short walk from the shores of beautiful Loch Garten. Get close to red squirrels & small birds at our feeders & enjoy the forest, with activities for children, presentations on wildlife, updated interpretation & an enthusiastic team to help you make the most of your visit. The shop sells binoculars & telescopes, nature books, toys, hot & cold drinks, sandwiches, ice creams & snacks. Two beautiful woodland walks take you through magnificent pine forest to tranquil Loch Garten & Loch Mallachie - accessed from the Nature Centre car park & from the nearby Loch Mallachie car park. 2021 - no breeding ospreys at Loch Garten. Last entry to the Nature Centre is at 16:30.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Restaurants
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17 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Maureen SIreland1 contributionLoch Garten RSPB visit amazingFabulous, friendly and extremely knowledgeable staff nothing was too much trouble…. From giving me a wheelchair to get to the visitor centre to coming to find me when they saw a red squirrel 🐿. Thanks for a wonderful visit. Osprey cam is such an amazing experience, will keep an eye on the YouTube experience when this years babies have hatched.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 May 2023
- Cora BScherpenzeel, The Netherlands1,369 contributionsA must for wildlife loversStunning scenery overlooking the loch. Nice woodland walk. Visitor centre, opens at 10.00, is great. Loads of info, several screens with footage of the ospreys and a goshawk nest. Loads of feeders, siskin, chaffinch, red squirrels. Shop has hot, cold drinks, icecream, sandwiches and some cakes. High quality, nature related, products on sale. Entrance fee £ 5, well worth it, staff around, very knowledgeable and friendly. Benches outside to sit down and of course scopes available.Visited May 2023Travelled soloWritten 23 May 2023
- Geoff and Clare L257 contributionsGetting closer to the OspreysTwo visits over the week and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Osprey, Goshawks and Great Tits. Parking is straightforward and the staff both at the entry area and then in the main building are spot-on, helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Well done to all, particularly the volunteer lady we were taking to on our first visit on the Wednesday. Also a good path to get my elderly Mam up to the centre in her wheelchair.Visited June 2023Written 19 June 2023
- gerdunnGlasgow, United Kingdom70 contributionsOutstanding!Check-in is in the car park a few hundred yards from the centre itself. This is very straightforward. It is a lovely walk up to the centre. In the centre itself there are telescopes trained on an osprey nest as well as live and recorded pictures. The staff are very well informed and helpful. We will certainly be backVisited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 July 2023
- Jackie S2 contributionsLoch Garten elopementWe chose Loch Garten for our wedding ceremony due to its stunning location. Absolutely beautiful setting which was perfect for our wild Scottish wedding. Thank you to Fergus at the RSPB for accommodating us on on our special day. Loch Garten is a truly wonderful location.Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 30 August 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
643 reviews
Excellent
441
Very good
137
Average
37
Poor
16
Terrible
12
Margaret W
Fife, Scotland199 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We enjoyed the walking paths and the views over Loch Garten which provided lots of photo opportunities. The highlight of our visit was spotting a crested tit.
Written 4 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry M
Milton Keynes, UK273 contributions
May 2023 • Family
This place is not just about Ospreys albeit via web-cams etc you get a brilliant close-up of these birds including while we were there one Osprey bringing a sizeable fish into his mate. There is a variety of Bird-Life on offer to view and a very good gift shop with momentoes and bird type gifts. The location is remote but in a natural and wooded glen. The staff are brilliant particularly the lady who gave us a full description of bird habits and how to see the Red Squirrels. Scenic Scotland at its best.
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L F
Beccles, UK60 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
Firstly, I can't fault the reserve surroundings, loch and views.
My problem was the visitor centre.
The member of staff was as helpful as he could be and nothing we experienced was his fault.
But, the shop was completely empty and there are port a loos which were terrible.
I appreciate that the ospreys had left and the children were back at school but to have nothing in the shop was ridiculous.
As an RSPB member, I expect a centre to have more than a take away coffee and a packet of crisps! And no we didn't buy those we moved on.
My problem was the visitor centre.
The member of staff was as helpful as he could be and nothing we experienced was his fault.
But, the shop was completely empty and there are port a loos which were terrible.
I appreciate that the ospreys had left and the children were back at school but to have nothing in the shop was ridiculous.
As an RSPB member, I expect a centre to have more than a take away coffee and a packet of crisps! And no we didn't buy those we moved on.
Written 15 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moseley1210
Manchester10 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We were lucky enough to spot an Osprey yesterday when we visited the Centre. We also met Edward, a member of staff who was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastically answered all our son’s questions. You made our visit - thank you Edward!
Written 31 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jackie S
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We chose Loch Garten for our wedding ceremony due to its stunning location. Absolutely beautiful setting which was perfect for our wild Scottish wedding. Thank you to Fergus at the RSPB for accommodating us on on our special day. Loch Garten is a truly wonderful location.
Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathryn H
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Every time I have visited this reserve it have been disappointed. Incidents include it being closed, hazard tape and no entry signs and nearly being run over bikes speeding along a walk route.
For the first time it was 'open'. The entrance was still not open work had started back in March when last there but still not functioning. Got there 9.30 and had to wait till gone 10am got it to open. Others came and left before 10am. Reference to blue marquee in car park. When put up it was a gazebo near road.
No tickets issued instead stamped on hand. Not keen on that and still have marks from the stamp. Very odd process.
Midges near bird feeders. Portable loos near midges as new loos not open yet.
No osprey but scene or nest and cameras looks unnatural.
As a RSPB member Free but £5 for nonmember is not worth it for getting stamped, risking midge bites, poor facilities and no osprey. Underwhelmibg experience.
As a member
For the first time it was 'open'. The entrance was still not open work had started back in March when last there but still not functioning. Got there 9.30 and had to wait till gone 10am got it to open. Others came and left before 10am. Reference to blue marquee in car park. When put up it was a gazebo near road.
No tickets issued instead stamped on hand. Not keen on that and still have marks from the stamp. Very odd process.
Midges near bird feeders. Portable loos near midges as new loos not open yet.
No osprey but scene or nest and cameras looks unnatural.
As a RSPB member Free but £5 for nonmember is not worth it for getting stamped, risking midge bites, poor facilities and no osprey. Underwhelmibg experience.
As a member
Written 27 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger M
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Friends
Nice drive through woodland to get there, nice level, well defined trails, so peaceful and tranquil, was even lucky enough to spot a capibari moving about in the shallow water.
Written 28 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gerdunn
Glasgow, UK70 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Check-in is in the car park a few hundred yards from the centre itself. This is very straightforward. It is a lovely walk up to the centre. In the centre itself there are telescopes trained on an osprey nest as well as live and recorded pictures. The staff are very well informed and helpful. We will certainly be back
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
123colin
Stoke-on-Trent, UK110 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
When we first got the we were mesmerised just by the view over the Loch and you think it can't get any better .Then you see the Ospreys and they're breathtaking especially when they are feeding the chick's absolutely magnificent
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoff and Clare L
Durham, England257 contributions
Jun 2023
Two visits over the week and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Osprey, Goshawks and Great Tits. Parking is straightforward and the staff both at the entry area and then in the main building are spot-on, helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Well done to all, particularly the volunteer lady we were taking to on our first visit on the Wednesday. Also a good path to get my elderly Mam up to the centre in her wheelchair.
Written 19 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jalemycajack
Betws-y-Coed, UK2 contributions
I am a immature photographer interested in animal/bird wild life Have been given a birthday present "WILD ABOUT SCOTLAND " WHAT LENS'S WOULD BE BEST FOR THE TRIP SEPT 27TH 7 NIGHTS with Edwards coaches
Michaël Brausewetter
Thionville, France117 contributions
Bonjour. Nous souhaiterions visiter la réserve jeudi. Combien de temps faut-il compter pour en faire le tour dans de bonnes conditions ? Merci !
Jess Tomes
Tomich, Highlands12 contributions
Bonjour Michael, Merci pour votre question.
Si vous vous rendez au Osprey Centre, comptez entre une demi-heure et une heure pour une visite - tout dépend de l’activité des oiseaux, par exemple autour des nids des balbuzards ou bien autour des mangeoires. Si vous êtes tentés par une marche en forêt, comptez deux heures pour faire les chemins “Big Pines” et “Two Lochs” ensemble. Nous avons hâte de vous voir lors de votre venue.
Markybug73
Perth, UK151 contributions
Hi , are dogs allowed here?
Thanks.
266Aladdin
Strathpeffer, UK4 contributions
round the main walks yes. but not into the rspb bit. as the sign says only guide dogs that don't smoke are aloud in there. rspb bit takes 30mins. main walks are a couple hours if you go straight round but could easy spend the whole day
colmanek1
East Kilbride, UK65 contributions
Is it wheelchair accessible.
Abernethy1
Sydney, Australia19 contributions
Yes, but with a little assistance for most people. Reasonably level but unpaved access. Might be best to give them a call as our visit was a while ago now :(
xxmazxx
Solihull, UK5 contributions
is this ok for wheelchair users
COntentedtravel1234
Haydon Bridge, United Kingdom62 contributions
The pathway to the centre is level and hard packed dirt. There is disabled parking and the telescopes on the ospreys are set at different heights. The RSPB tries very hard to accommodate people with different abilities. There are also large tv screens so you can see what is happening on the nest if all the telescopes are in use. So I suspect it would work for wheelchair users.
Sophie S
Glenrothes, Scotland, United Kingdom4 contributions
Is this place suitable for a 1year old? He loves birds and thought this would be great for him.
Jess Tomes
Tomich, Highlands12 contributions
Hi Sophie, yes, we have plenty of activities for children too - including bug hunting (obviously he'll need a bit of help!) and we have small bird feeders close to the windows, so he should get some pretty exciting views! Hope to see you soon.
Esther C
Hong Kong, China1 contribution
Hello, my husband and I are birders from Hong Kong and plan to visit in early Aug. I would like to know if we need to become members of RSPB for entrance and car park?
Jess Tomes
Tomich, Highlands12 contributions
Hi Esther, no need for you to be RSPB members to visit, no. It's £5 for adults and £3 for concessions and the car park is free. We look forward to seeing you then.
henwomanGlenrothes
Glenrothes143 contributions
When is it open?
Lynn L
Leeds, United Kingdom36 contributions
Opening times
The Osprey Centre (including the shop and toilets) is open daily, 10 am to 6 pm from April to the end of August. Last entry to the centre is at 5 pm. During spring, the centre is also open daily for Caper-watch (to see capercaillies) from 5.30 am to 8 am - check out the events page for details. While the Osprey Centre, shop and toilets are closed out of season, the wider reserve is open all year-round.
Entrance charges
Osprey Centre charges: adults £5, concessions £3, under 16s £2. Family ticket £10 (up to two adults and four children). RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members: free. Caper-watch: free event
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Frequently Asked Questions about RSPB Loch Garten
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