Loch of the Lowes Dunkeld

The Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve, near Dunkeld, is one of the most spectacular sites in Scotland for viewing wild Ospreys on the nest. Ospreys have been visiting Loch of the Lowes since 1969 and have now successfully bred on the reserve for 7 years in a row, rearing a total of 19 chicks. The reserve, visitor centre, and a number of hides, are open between April and September each year when the Ospreys are in residence. During this period, the birds are kept under observation by teams of staff and volunteers, particularly if there are eggs or young birds in the nest, when they are kept under 24-hour surveillance. The visitor centre at Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve includes a multi-media and hands-on exhibition area, interpretation spaces, video and audio displays, and a number of television monitors linked to wildlife hotspots around the loch and surrounding area. The hides on the reserve are fitted out with high-powered binoculars and telescopes to ensure that visitors get the best view of the birds as possible.

Each year, the young Ospreys, which have been born at Loch of the Lowes, are removed from the nest and ringed. This process allows the Scottish Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers involved to get close to the birds, and ensure that the birds can be identified and tracked wherever they go. Scottish Ospreys have been known to spend the winter months as far away as Senegal and Gambia on the west coast of Africa, before returning to Scotland to breed during the spring and summer months.

The Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve welcomes up to 30,000 visitors every year

Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve is covered by a number of important national and international designations, including: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protected Area (SPA), National Scenic Area (NSA), RAMSAR Site, Natural 2000 Site, and is a proposed Special Area of conservation (SAC).

How to get there:
By Road: The reserve is signposted from the A9 and is 2 miles north-east of Dunkeld, just off the A923 Blairgowrie road.

Opening Times
The wildlife reserve and visitor centre is open every day from April to the end of September (inclusive).
Opening Hours are from 10:00am - 6:00pm between mid-July and mid-August, and from10.00pm - 5.00pm at all other times.
The wildlife reserve and visitor centre is closed to the public between October and March (inclusive) each year.

Admission
Visitors are asked to make a small contribution to the cost of running the wildlife reserve and visitor centre. Parties must book in advance. Disabled access.

With thanks to: Scottish Wildlife Trust

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