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
-
Gift shop stocking a range of wildlife-themed gifts, souvenirs and birdcare products
-
Hot and cold drinks and light refreshments available
Best time to visit?
- Apr – Aug for ospreys
- Apr – Sept for beavers
- All year round for red squirrels
- 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 viewing our events leaflet.
You can book on to these events by clicking the button below.
I’m sure many of you have caught up with the flurry of social media activity at the weekend, heralding the arrival of our regular breeding male osprey LM12 on Friday 15th March around 17:20pm. The moment LM12 arrived on the nest at Loch of the Lowes © Scottish Wildlife Trust It looks like he managed to make good use of the warm southern winds from Africa a few weeks ago and sneak in ahead of the…
It has probably not gone unnoticed among the keen eyed of you that 2019 marks a significant landmark in the history of Loch of the Lowes; not only are we celebrating 50 years of managing a very special habitat, but we are also celebrating 50 years of ospreys on the reserve. I’d like to take you on a trip through the years and share some of the noteworthy moments in the history of our much-loved feathered friends. [caption id=”attachment_22194″ align=”aligncenter”…
You might have caught Laura MacGregor our conservation shepherdess speaking on the BBC Radio Scotland’s Out of Doors programme at the weekend (Listen from around 1hr 15min 30s). Flying Flock arrive at Keltneyburn © S.Rasmussen Several weeks ago 15 ‘chevease’ ewes arrived at our Keltneyburn Reserve near Aberfeldy to act as nature’s lawnmower. The sheep are used throughout the Trust’s reserves to help with various conservation management jobs. In the case of the reserve at Keltneyburn they are…
The dangers of falling through ice covered rivers and lochs cannot be stressed enough. Every winter, people die because the ice gives way beneath them and they plunge into freezing water and cannot get out. If you fall into running water the current pulls you downstream, under the ice sheet, making it nigh on impossible to break through the covering of ice holding you underwater. Still water in ponds and lochs is just as dangerous, every time you try to…
It is very quiet at Lowes today,the sky is laden with cloud and snow is falling softly and steadily straight down through bare, grey branches, gathering on the icy twigs and woodland floor. After a mild spell last week, temperatures have plummeted and, as I write, the water in Loch of the Lowes lies beneath a solid sheet of snow covered ice. Through this frozen scene comes a vibrant sign of Spring: the loud drumming of several great spotted woodpeckers!…
Spring will be upon us before we know it and this means Loch of the Lowes is preparing for the season ahead with rising anticipation (and hopes) for the first sight of an osprey. As well as welcoming thousands of visitors to enjoy the osprey breeding season (fingers crossed) we have a wide and varied programme of events throughout the summer. To keep everything running smoothly, we require another staff member to join our small team of staff and wonderful,…
Although it is still winter, it will soon be time to begin monitoring a variety of bird populations, few more iconic than the Black Grouse. Highland Perthshire is a stronghold for the birds who despite suffering national declines and being a UK red list species, have bounced back and appear to be holding on in the region, thanks in part to a programme of native tree planting. Black grouse © Mark Hamblin/2020VISION The Perthshire…
Paul Anderson reflects upon his experience in 2018 as a Species Protection Officer, monitoring osprey at Loch of the Lowes. Paul Anderson undertaking a woodland canopy survey ©S.Rasmussen “It is 6 am and the Loch is starting to come alive. The last of the mist lifts from the surface of the water and the sun suddenly sets everything alight. I murmur my appreciation and my watch-mate takes a few dozen more photos. LF15, the female osprey,…