Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve covers 98 hectares near Dunkeld. From early April to late August, the star attraction is a pair of breeding ospreys, which nest just 150 metres from our observation hide.
Address: Loch of the Lowes, Dunkeld PH8 0HH
Why visit?
Highlights include:
- Getting closer to the ospreys with binoculars, telescopes and live video footage
- Spotting red squirrels, woodpeckers and other woodland birds from viewing windows
- Interactive displays help bring the story of Loch of the Lowes to life
- Education activities and school visits
- Regular family events throughout the year
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Gift shop stocking a range of wildlife-themed gifts, souvenirs and birdcare products
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Hot and cold drinks and light refreshments available
Best time to visit?
- Mar – Nov for red squirrels
- Apr – Aug for ospreys
- May – Aug for beavers
- All year round for wildfowl
- All year round for bird feeders & deer
Visit for:
- birdwatching
- woodlands
- wildflowers
- scenery
- mammals
Other information
The Fungarth path leads from the historic town of Dunkeld to Loch of Lowes.
Events
Find out what events are taking place at Loch of the Lowes in the coming months by clicking the button below.
In recent days our male, LM12, hasn’t been bringing many fish to the nest – and we hear this is gaining him a bad reputation! Even though this is out of character for LM12 there’s no need to be alarmed as long-term Osprey research has found that during incubation there is no increase in the amount of fish being brought to the nest (Poole, 1989). We also have a strong suspicion that LF15 is still fishing independently. The Species Protection…
Yesterday was a beautiful day here at the Loch of the Lowes reserve. Sunny, still and bright weather brought a calm and relaxed atmosphere and set the perfect conditions for the arrival of the third egg. LF15 with her three eggs on Thursday night. Even though the duty of the Species Protection Team already started with LF15 laying her first egg on Saturday 14 April, now it truly feels like we are all set for this year’s…
We’re delighted to announce that LF15 has laid her second egg of the season, close to three days since the first. The second egg came at around 11:30 on Monday night. Our Ranger Rachael Hunter managed to capture some great close up footage from our webcam. With less intruders to worry about LM12 can concentrate on keeping the nest stocked with food. These daily deliveries of protein-rich pike and trout will become even more important once chicks hatch out. We…
We’re delighted to have our first egg of the season. LF15 gave us a glimpse of the egg at around 3:45 this morning. A couple of hours later LM12 came back to the nest and tried to push his mate out of the way but LF15 wasn’t having any of it! Female osprey LF15 with her first egg of the season LM 12 has brought a fish back to the nest this morning and took over…
LM12 and LF15 atop their favourite perch © Mark Westgarth Photography Our male osprey, LM12, has been kept busy these past few days trying to get our female, LF15, in peak condition for laying eggs. In the past 24 hours alone he’s brought in four fish, gaining the attention of a buzzard and some carrion crow – but they were no match for our pair! On top of ensuring LF15 is well fed, our male has been bringing more…
Over the past week we have been catching fleeting glimses of a pine marten in the feeding station. Pine martens are roughly the size of house cats and are related to weasels, stoats and polecats.Their coat is sandy brown with a pale yellow ‘bib’ around their chin and throat. They also have a large busy tail. Pine marten, Black Isle, Scotland. © Terry Whittaker, 2020VISION They are native to Scotland and can be found in woodland…
Over the weekend our new team of Species Protection Officers have been settling into the bothy ready to start the round the clock Osprey Protection Programme supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. We are delighted that they are joining us. They are very enthusiastic about ospreys and like me keen to see the first egg to be laid. In the mean time they are keeping busy monitoring LM12 and LF15 and getting to know them and their different behaviours.…