RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond
Located on the south-east shores of the loch, RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond has a variety of habitats from ancient woodlands to wildflower meadows and swampy grasslands.
About RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond
| RSPB Loch Lomond Nature Reserve , Gartocharn | |
| 01389830670 | |
| RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond Website | |
| Follow RSPBGlasgow on Twitter | |
| Facebook information can be found here | |
RSPB Scotland has been managing the site in partnership with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and Scottish Natural Heritage since 2012 to make it an even better home for nature.
Nature Hub
The Nature Hub is open 10am – 4pm daily and staffed at weekends and school holidays. There are two new trails, one 950m loop through the woodland and out onto a grassy meadow and pond, and the other leading out on to stunning views over the reserve and surrounding hills.
Part of the work we do at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond involves carrying out wildlife surveys. Summer 2015 was the season that brought us five spotted crakes (there are only 80 pairs of this secretive bird in the whole of the UK) and the discovery of the rare Great Otter Spider. This spider has not been recorded in Scotland since 1994, so, coming across it here, while on a dragonfly training course, was very special indeed. Other wildlife highlights have been catching glimpses of otters and pine martens on our cameras, witnessing ospreys fishing over the water and watching flocks of geese feeding in all the fields on site, including the one right outside our office window!
The Shore Wood path is open at all times and this is accessible via the Aber Right of Way, which starts from the Kilmaronock Millennium Hall in Gartocharn. It is not currently accessible from the RSPB Loch Lomond car park.
Opening times
Winter Nature Hub opening: 11am – 3pm daily. Staffed at weekends (weather dependent)
Closed 22nd Dec – 4th January inclusive
Entrance charges
Entrance to the Nature Hub is free.
There are charges for guided walks, events and activities.
Top things to do in Summer
1. Watch osprey soar and dive as they look for salmon and other fish at the mouth of the River Endrick
2. Look out for fluttering butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies
3. Sit on the loch beach, relax and take in the amazing scenery
Information for disabled visitors
One disabled parking bay
Toilet with disabled access, open during hub opening hours and for events only
Viewpoint Trail is fully accessible
Information for families
The reserve is the ideal place for families to explore the smaller creatures found at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond. Peer into the Mini-beast Mansion, go hunting for butterflies and frogs or even build a den in the woods.
Pond-dipping and mini-beast hunting is available 7 days during the summer holidays and weekends until mid-October. Sweep your nets across the water and through the meadows and see what curious creatures you might find in the depths of the pond and the thick grassy meadow. (£3 per kit, £2 for RSPB members).
There are backpacks available for hire with everything the little ones need for an adventure including binoculars, bug jars and wild challenge sheets.
Families are welcome on our guided walks but should be aware that the ground conditions will be muddy ff path. Our trails are sitable for pushchairs.
Families are welcome on our guided walks but should be aware that the ground conditions will be muddy and uneven throughout and the surface is not suitable for pushchairs.
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.
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. We take every opportunity to ensure the details for RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond are accurate, please contact us at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk if any of the above information is incorrect.
Upcoming Events at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond
Wildflower Wander
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!
Read more
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