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RSPB Loch Garten

RSPB Loch Garten, Boat of Garten: Hours, Address, RSPB Loch Garten Reviews: 4.5/5

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RSPB Loch Garten

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RSPB Loch Garten
4.5
617
#1 of 9 things to do in Boat of Garten
Nature & Wildlife Areas
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10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre has recently undergone a major refurbishment & is now open for visitors to the end of August - the rest of the reserve is open all year round. Covid measures are in place for everyone's safety. Loch Garten is part of RSPB Abernethy reserve & the centre is in stunning Caledonian pineforest, a short walk from the shores of beautiful Loch Garten. Get close to red squirrels & small birds at our feeders & enjoy the forest, with activities for children, presentations on wildlife, updated interpretation & an enthusiastic team to help you make the most of your visit. The shop sells binoculars & telescopes, nature books, toys, hot & cold drinks, sandwiches, ice creams & snacks. Two beautiful woodland walks take you through magnificent pine forest to tranquil Loch Garten & Loch Mallachie - accessed from the Nature Centre car park & from the nearby Loch Mallachie car park. 2021 - no breeding ospreys at Loch Garten. Last entry to the Nature Centre is at 16:30.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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4.5
617 reviews
Excellent
428
Very good
131
Average
33
Poor
15
Terrible
10
Katie D
Brighton and Hove, UK375 contributions
Beautiful
Oct 2021
A lovely walk around this lovely reserve, plenty of nature around and lots of different areas to explore
Written 15 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Paradise517657
1 contribution
Shockingly bad roads
Jun 2021
Loved the RSPB. Roads from Boat of Garten are a disgrace. We ended up with tyre and wheel damage after driving into an enormous pot hole. The council denied responsibility although the pot hole had been repaired and clearly been a previous issue. Highland council were evasive and unhelpful and claimed the road was a residential road! As a result we ended up with a massive repair bill. My advise take an SUV with massive tyres to soak up the poor road quality or avoid all together.
Written 3 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rozzy1973
Worksop, UK331 contributions
Tranquil
Nov 2021 • Couples
Gorgeous place for a lovely quiet walk. Breath in the tranquil surroundings. We saw a few birds, ducks but very peaceful. Recommend if you want space and silence. The main centre is closed currently but you can still park and walk. We followed the map
Written 18 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bob B
1 contribution
Crested Tits on the agenda
Oct 2021
Visited out of season specifically to photograph crested tits for the first time. This time of the year they are to be found on the lower branches/ground. I wasn't disappointed; three at once during one visitation and plenty photographs. Job done and I'll be back when there's snow on the trees and ground.
Written 11 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Avux99
Cheshire, UK466 contributions
Quiet. A little too quiet if that’s possible.
Jul 2021 • Friends
This was a big disappointment. No Ospreys, which is obviously the main draw, still, they cannot be made to nest here so that’s nobody’s fault. We did the Big Pines Trail, a short walk through the trees. It was UNBELIEVABLY quiet. Could not hear a sound. Which is usually a plus in my book, but the main point of being here was to see birds. No Woodpeckers, absolutely nothing. The only ones we did see were on the feeder at the visitor centre. Nothing worth paying the admission fee for though. Nice view over the Loch to be fair, but again, nothing you cant get to view for free elsewhere. Good job the charge is going towards the RSPB or else I’d have been really annoyed!
Written 8 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nilindy
Glasgow, UK1 116 contributions
The most famous bird site in UK?
Oct 2021
Its finally turned cold and the wind blowing over the loch emptied the car park. Birds have flown, everything remaining Covid Closed. Got some nice woodland pictures though and leaned little bits from the well constructed informative display.
Written 3 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
The_Traveling_Confolentais
Belfast, UK13 contributions
Lovely
Aug 2021 • Friends
Great to have the freedom to visit the centre, have guided talks and be able to walk around the beautiful lochs. Prepare for midges..
Written 15 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Albia-Newton
Weston super Mare, UK3 773 contributions
Fantastic walk
Sep 2021 • Couples
Lovely walk through the forests to the loch. Very peaceful and very few people around. Lovely views to the hills. Nice range of wildlife in the woods
Written 15 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kings and Queens London
London, UK739 contributions
Peaceful quite Loch with only the birds
Aug 2021 • Couples
as a couple we enjoyed this Loch better than some of the other lochs mainly because it was more peaceful .Yes it doesn’t have a big beach like Morllich Loch , but it has lots of wooded shady area and tiny coves where you can put down yr blanket or picnic chairs and enjoy the quiet peaceful Loch, with only the noise of the birds in the trees.I think this is a special place for couples/ or older folk who don’t want screaming kids around them.Unfortunately the information centre was shut
Written 3 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jimcobb49
Dundee, UK6 contributions
Shop
Jul 2021
This is now just a vastly enlarged shop.Not worth an entrance fee for a short walk to a shop and not even a hide.
Written 28 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about RSPB Loch Garten
RSPB Loch Garten is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 - 17:30
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