Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve
Loch of the Lowes is all about ospreys. From April to September a pair of ospreys usually breed here and there is an observation hide just 150m from their nest, as well as a TV camera so visitors can watch close up pictures of the birds. The reserve covers 95 hectares of the loch, shoreline and surrounding woodland.
Ospreys in Britain.
- Once a common species in Britain by 1916 ospreys were all but extinct. Thanks to tremendous conservation efforts involving the police, conservation bodies, farmers, forestry workers, anglers as well as hundreds of volunteers, ospreys are once again an established part of Scotland's rich wildlife. The first pair to return to the Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve was in 1969 when they were only the fifth known pair in Scotland. Today around 30,000 visitors come to the Loch of the Lowes each season to enjoy observing wildlife in its natural setting and most importantly, in a controlled environment offering minimum disturbance.
Highlights: Apart from the ospreys, red squirrels are still present here, and great spotted woodpeckers can be seen from our viewing windows, while fallow and roe deer are often seen from the hide. The wildfowl population peaks in early winter when as many as three thousand greylag geese roost on the loch as well as goldeneye, mallard, goosander, wigeon, teal, tufted duck and great-crested grebes.
Timeline 2007
The Loch of Lowes ospreys hatched 3 chicks, but only 2 survived to fledge. Read the full story of the Loch of the Lowes ospreys in 2007.
New visitor Centre
Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre re-opened to the public in June 2006 after a £200,000 refurbishment.
Facilities: Interactive displays and a wildlife gift shop with light snacks are available. Telescopes and binoculars are available to use in the hides.
Opening times and admission 2006
Visitor centre - 21 March to 30 September. 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Hides - 24 hours
Admission
Adults (concession) - £3.00 (£2.00)
Children <16 years - Free
SWT members - Free
Groups are welcome but are advised to book in advance.
Location:
The nearest town is Dunkeld. The centre is off the A923 (follow the Wildlife Reserve signs). The reserve is part of Fungarth walk path network.
Grid reference: NO 050440
Thanks for the support
Support for improvements and developments to Loch of Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve has been gratefully received from the Heritage Lottery Fund with assistance from Osprey Alarms for the CCTV equipment and for the new hide and improvements to access, from Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Enterprise Tayside, Perth & Kinross Quality of Life Trust, SWT members and numerous charitable trusts including Gannochy Trust, Cadogan Charitable Trust, the Garfield Weston Trust, Miss E C Hendry Charitable Trust, D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and the D G Allan Memorial Fund.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.