Loch of the Lowes

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Welcome to Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve near Dunkeld. Our reserve covers 130 hectares including woodland, freshwater loch and the visitor centre and hides.

All year round the reserve is host to red squirrels, mallards, swans, great-crested grebes, fallow deer and great-spotted woodpeckers.

In autumn and winter, the reserve is home to Canada and greylag geese, as well as wigeon, tufted, golden eye and mallard ducks, grey heron and much more.

During the spring and summer months the ospreys return to their nest just 150m away from the hides. The loch also hosts breeding swallows and goosander, as well as garden birds in the woodland and three species of bat.

Our four-star visitor centre offers a great day out for all the family in Perthshire.

Tickets are available at the door.

There is no circular path around the loch and no access to the water.

Join today to get free access to all our visitor centres and help protect Scotland’s wildlife for the future.

Any questions? If you have a question about planning your visit, please scroll down or email lochofthelowes@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk

 

Enjoy an exclusive opportunity to see wildlife at Loch of the Lowes. Bookings last for up to three hours (depending on sunset time) and are available for £30. Scottish Wildlife Trust members get free acccess but must book so please email lochofthelowes@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk for further information.


Privacy Notice.

Any questions? If you have a question about your hide hire or would like to enquire about hiring it on a different day, please email lochofthelowes@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk


Why visit?

The Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre offers spectacular views across the reserve from the hides. Telescopes and binoculars are available to visitors to experience wildlife up close, hot drinks and snacks can be purchased and our wildlife-themed gift shop has a variety of products for all ages.

With a range of children’s activities always available in the children’s hide and our large viewing window allowing you to get up close to garden birds, red squirrels and great-spotted woodpeckers, there’s something for everyone at Loch of the Lowes.

Best time to visit?

  • Apr – Aug for ospreys
  • Apr – Sept for beavers
  • All year round for red squirrels, wildfowl, garden birds and deer

Visit for:

  • birdwatching
  • woodlands
  • wildflowers
  • scenery
  • mammals

Other information

Events: Find out what events are taking place at Loch of the Lowes in the coming months by checking out our Events page.

You can find out more about Loch of the Lowes in episode one of our Words of the Wild podcast series.

Facilities

Hover for more information

VISITING THE RESERVE

How to get there

Directions

Driving: The reserve is situated 16 miles north of Perth and 2 miles north east of Dunkeld, just off the A923 Dunkeld to Blairgowrie road (signposted from the A9). The car park is situated at the roadside 120m from the visitor centre, and is linked by a wheelchair friendly path.

Please note that on some sat-navs, the visitor centre postcode (PH8 0HH) takes you to the opposite end of the loch. In this case, the postcode PH8 0ES appears to work better.

Public transport: Train and bus travel options are available to Dunkeld.

Walking: From Dunkeld, the 2-mile long Fungarth Path leads to the visitor centre. This can be walked as a 5-mile circuit (click here for route description). The path starts at the stone cairn in the main car park. Please note there is no walk around the loch.

Cycling: Cyclists can access the reserve via A923 from Dunkeld, a 2-mile diversion off the National Cycle Network route 77 click here. There are cycle bays to park bikes.

Get directions

Getting onto the reserve

The visitor centre and additional disabled car parking can be accessed from the main car park via 90m track by welcome signage.

Access restrictions

Only assistance dogs are permitted in the visitor centre and hides.

No fishing is permitted at Loch of the Lowes at any time of year to protect its wildlife and rare underwater flora.

We are not currently permitting overnight stays in the car park.

For a full access guide, please click here.

Nearest town
Dunkeld (2 mi / 3.2 km)
OS grid ref
NO041435
Landranger map
52

VISITOR CENTRE

Loch of the Lowes visitor centre

Opening times

1 Nov - 29 Feb: Open Friday - Sunday, 10:30-16:00
1 Mar - 31 Oct: Open 7 days a week, 10:30-17:00

Admission

Adults: £5.50
Concession: £5.00
Members: FREE
Children: FREE

Dog walkers: As dogs are not permitted in the centre or hides we offer a buy one, get one free on tickets to allow you to take it in turns to experience the visitor centre.

Address: Loch of the Lowes, Dunkeld PH8 0HH

Telephone
01350 727 337

LOCH OF THE LOWES BLOG

Get the latest from the Loch of the Lowes visitor centre

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Fish, ‘Flowers’ and the Battle of Blue ‘7C1’ – An Update from the Osprey Nest

Fish, ‘Flowers’ and the Battle of Blue ‘7C1’ – An Update from the Osprey NestAfter losing her long term breeding partner LM12, resident female osprey NC0 has taken the eye of several other male ospreys. A young, heavily marked osprey known to us in the hides as the ‘Dark Intruder’ appears to have been accepted by NC0 as her potential future mate. It is clear from his behaviour that ‘D.I.’ is young and inexperienced, and most likely a 2-3 year old who has never bred before. He is roughly doing the right things by…

Skydancing, Nestorations and Fish – Positive News from the Nest

Skydancing, Nestorations and Fish – Positive News from the NestSince the sad loss of our breeding male LM12 at the start of the month it has been a tumultuous time on the nest for female NC0. After valiantly incubating her eggs for 5 days, she eventually headed off to feed herself, finally catching a huge fish the next day. NC0 with a rainbow trout © Scottish Wildlife Trust webcam With no male to defend the nest, several other osprey started to take an interest in…

LIVE ACTION

Loch of the Lowes webcam

Loch of the Lowes

Education

If you are interested in organising an educational visit to Loch of the Lowes, please contact the visitor centre on 01350 727 337 for more information.

Please note that we are unable to accommodate school groups March to June due to reduced staff capacity. During this time osprey nest protection watch is in operation.

FURTHER READING

About Loch of the Lowes

Out & about

Nearby reserves
Balnaguard Glen
Tummel Shingle Islands

Links & downloads

Reserve leaflet

Reserve map

iSpot

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