RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond

RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond is set in a stunning mix of woodlands and wetlands on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

About RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond

	RSPB Loch Lomond Nature Reserve , Gartocharn
	01389830670
	RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond Website
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Listed Under Attractions - Days Out / Attractions - Nature Reserves / Attractions - Visitor Centres

Breathtaking views and a diverse mix of habitats provide an excellent opportunity to view a variety of wildlife including ospreys in the summer and skeins of geese in the winter.

Opening Times
The car park and trails are open at all times with activities for families available 10am – 4pm on weekends and school holidays.

Entrance Charge
To help us continue our vital work here at RSPB Loch Lomond there is a car parking charge in place. Charges apply at all times.
Non-members: Up to 1 hour - £3, each additional hour - £1
Members: free
Blue badge holders: free
This charge will include use of all visitor facilities including the car park, toilets, trails and picnic areas

Nature Trails
Airey Woodland Trail (950m loop) - A woodland trail winding through coppiced alder woodland, leading into a wildflower meadow and past a small pond. The woodland is a great place to look for tree pipits (summer), bullfinches, treecreepers and goldcrests. The meadow in summer is buzzing with bees, butterflies and watch out for frogs by the pond too! In autumn and winter look out for red squirrels and flocks of thrushes.

Viewpoint Trail (200m) - An accessible trail leading out to stunning views of Ben Lomond and Conic Hill, overlooking the woodlands and fen of RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond. In summer watch for soaring ospreys and listen to the birdsong from the woodlands close by. In winter watch skeins of geese making their way from their overnight roost to their daytime feeding grounds.

Lomond Trail (1.3km) - A wander along the Lomond Trail begins close to the pond on Airey Woodland Trail and leads you to the shores of Loch Lomond. Experience the special habitats and unique wildlife along the way and marvel at the stunning views as you reach the loch. The first section sweeps through wildflower meadows and then towards a boardwalk over the fen. In summer the swaying grasses, fragrant meadowsweet and unusual songs of grasshopper warblers and sedge warblers fill the air. In winter, whooper swans, ducks and geese can be heard from the wetlands as the water levels rise and fall with the changing river flows. The trail then leads you through the beech and oak rich Ring Wood, past dragonfly pools and ancient oak trees until the loch comes into view. From here the Lomond Trail meets the Shore Wood Path. Lomond Trail has a hardcore surface with sections of boardwalk in some places.

Shore Wood Path - (accessed by Lomond Trail or via the Aber right of way): Shore Wood Path takes you along the south-eastern shores of Loch Lomond, through ancient oak woodland. In the woodland look out for long-tailed tits, great spotted woodpeckers and if you’re lucky, redstarts in the summer. Out on the water watch out for great crested grebes and ospreys fishing and in the winter this is the favourite roosting place for 1000s of geese including pink-footed and Greenland white-fronted. Shore Wood Path is accessed via the Lomond Trail with parking at the Nature Hub or by walking along the Aber Right of Way with parking at the Millennium Hall in Gartocharn (the right of way includes walking through fields that can be very muddy at times). *Please note the right of way has a walking diversion in place due to a damaged bridge*

Events
For more information about events and to book, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/lochlomond

Facilities
Accessible toilet
Baby changing
Car park
Pushchair friendly trails
Picnic areas
Viewpoints
Nature Trails
Self-guided activities for families like bug hunting and den building (summer).

Information For Dog Owners
This nature reserve is important for wildlife. RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. During the ground-nesting bird breeding season (1 April to 15 August) we request that you keep your dog on a short lead, clean up after your dog and that you keep to the paths.

Image Credit: Helen Pugh

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

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Upcoming Events at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond

Nature

Wildlife Wanders at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond

Selected dates between 30th May 2025 - 21st July 2025

RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond, Gartocharn

The mix of habitats found at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond are what make it such an amazing place for wildlife, Join the team for a series of wildlife walks.

Nature

Wildflower Wander at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond

27th July 2025

RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond, Gartocharn

Join the team at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond for a guided walk which will show you how to identify some of the wildflowers on the reserve and hear about their historical uses!

Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre

Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch G83 8QL

Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre is located within the boundaries of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the first National Park in Scotland.

Loch Lomond Sea Life Centre

Ben Lomond Way Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch G83 8QL

SEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium is just 20 minutes from Glasgow, situated on the stunning Loch Lomond Shores, offering great fun for all the family, whatever the weather!

Loch Lomond Shores

Loch Lomond Shores Ben Lomond Way, Balloch G83 8QL

Loch Lomond Shores is a great day out offering designer shopping, an aquarium, restaurants and cafes and outdoor activities - all with fantastic views across Loch Loch Lomond!

RSPB Barons Haugh Nature Reserve

RSPB Barons Haugh Nature Reserve Manse Road, Motherwell ML1 2PZ

RSPB Baron's Haugh is a thriving community nature reserve in Motherwell and is a real gem for wildlife and for visitors too.

RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve Largs Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JF

RSPB Lochwinnoch is the best place in the west of Scotland for family fun, wild days out and discovering nature with an excellent RSPB shop, visitor centre and visitor trails.

TreeZone Loch Lomond

TreeZone Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch G83 8QL

TreeZone Loch Lomond is based at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, with a view to rival anywhere, looking up the awesome Loch Lomond towards the iconic Ben Lomond on its Eastern shore.

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Tenement House

145 Buccleuch Street, Glasgow West End G3 6QN

The National Trust for Scotland's Tenement House provides a rare glimpse into life in Glasgow in the early 20th century, in this faithfully restored four-room house!

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Glasgow Museums Resource Centre

200 Woodhead Road, Glasgow South Side G53 7NN

Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (GMRC) is a purpose-built store for Glasgow Museums' collections when they're not on display in the venues.

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The Hill House

The Hill House Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh G84 9AJ

High on a hill in Helensburgh, overlooking the River Clyde, sits what is universally regarded as Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s finest domestic creation!

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Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre

8-10 Balcarres Avenue, Glasgow West End G12 0QF

Based in the West End of Glasgow, the Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre comprises a theatre (80 seats), museum and education unit.

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Garscadden Local Nature Reserve

Garscadden Wood , Glasgow West End G15 7LG

This tranquil woodland, with its majestic ancient oaks and old hawthorn hedges, has been growing on this hillside on the edge of Glasgow for hundreds of years.

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Hogganfield Park Local Nature Reserve

Hogganfield Park Cumbernauld Road, Glasgow North G33

Hogganfield Park Local Nature Reserve is an excellent place to see wetland birds with the main attraction being Whooper Swan in winter!

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Geilston Garden

Geilston Garden Main Road Cardross, Dumbarton G82 5HD

Geilston Garden is a magical 200-year-old walled garden by the River Clyde with adventure playground and floral mini-maze!

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The Tall Ship Glenlee

150 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow West End G3 8RS

The Tall Ship Glenlee operates a programme of year-round maritime themed events and activities, with specially devised talks and tours, school visits and costumed volunteer days.

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Wish Upon A Star Kingdom

Roadway 5, Morris Park Rosyth Road, Glasgow East End G5 0YD

At Wish Upon A Star Kingdom, our mission is to make every event truly exciting and unforgettable!

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Wonder World Soft Play Glasgow

99 Middlesex Street, Glasgow South Side G41 1EE

Let your little travellers experience the wonders of the world with a journey they will never forget at Wonder World Soft Play Glasgow!

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Loch Lomond Shores

Loch Lomond Shores Ben Lomond Way, Balloch G83 8QL

Loch Lomond Shores is a great day out offering designer shopping, an aquarium, restaurants and cafes and outdoor activities - all with fantastic views across Loch Loch Lomond!

Days Out