RSPB Loch Lomond Nature Reserve , Gartocharn | |
01389830670 | |
RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond Website | |
Follow RSPBLochlomond on Twitter | |
Facebook information can be found here | |
Breathtaking views and a diverse mix of habitats provide an excellent opportunity to view a variety of wildlife including ospreys in the summer and skeins of geese in the winter.
Opening Times
The car park and trails are open at all times with activities for families available 10am – 4pm on weekends and school holidays.
Entrance Charge
To help us continue our vital work here at Loch Lomond, we will be introducing car parking charges from September 2023.
Non-members: Up to 1 hour - £2, each additional hour - £1
Members: free
Blue badge holders: free
This charge will include use of all visitor facilities including the car park, toilets, trails and picnic areas
Nature Trails
Airey Woodland Trail (950m loop) - A woodland trail winding through coppiced alder woodland, leading into a wildflower meadow and past a small pond. The woodland is a great place to look for tree pipits (summer), bullfinches, treecreepers and goldcrests. The meadow in summer is buzzing with bees, butterflies and watch out for frogs by the pond too! In autumn and winter look out for red squirrels and flocks of thrushes.
Viewpoint Trail (200m) - An accessible trail leading out to stunning views of Ben Lomond and Conic Hill, overlooking the woodlands and fen of RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond. In summer watch for soaring ospreys and listen to the birdsong from the woodlands close by. In winter watch skeins of geese making their way from their overnight roost to their daytime feeding grounds.
Lomond Trail (1.3km) - A wander along the Lomond Trail begins close to the pond on Airey Woodland Trail and leads you to the shores of Loch Lomond. Experience the special habitats and unique wildlife along the way and marvel at the stunning views as you reach the loch. The first section sweeps through wildflower meadows and then towards a boardwalk over the fen. In summer the swaying grasses, fragrant meadowsweet and unusual songs of grasshopper warblers and sedge warblers fill the air. In winter, whooper swans, ducks and geese can be heard from the wetlands as the water levels rise and fall with the changing river flows. The trail then leads you through the beech and oak rich Ring Wood, past dragonfly pools and ancient oak trees until the loch comes into view. From here the Lomond Trail meets the Shore Wood Path. Lomond Trail has a hardcore surface with sections of boardwalk in some places.
Shore Wood Path - (accessed by Lomond Trail or via the Aber right of way): Shore Wood Path takes you along the south-eastern shores of Loch Lomond, through ancient oak woodland. In the woodland look out for long-tailed tits, great spotted woodpeckers and if you’re lucky, redstarts in the summer. Out on the water watch out for great crested grebes and ospreys fishing and in the winter this is the favourite roosting place for 1000s of geese including pink-footed and Greenland white-fronted. Shore Wood Path is accessed via the Lomond Trail with parking at the Nature Hub or by walking along the Aber Right of Way with parking at the Millennium Hall in Gartocharn (the right of way includes walking through fields that can be very muddy at times). *Please note the right of way has a walking diversion in place due to a damaged bridge*
Events
For more information about events and to book, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/lochlomond
Facilities
Accessible toilet
Baby changing
Car park
Pushchair friendly trails
Picnic areas
Viewpoints
Nature Trails
Self-guided activities for families like bug hunting and den building (summer).
Information For Dog Owners
This nature reserve is important for wildlife. RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. During the ground-nesting bird breeding season (1 April to 15 August) we request that you keep your dog on a short lead, clean up after your dog and that you keep to the paths.
Image Credit: Helen Pugh
The mix of habitats found at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond are what make it such an amazing place for wildlife, Join the team for a series of wildlife walks.
READ MORECatch one of nature's most beautiful experiences, the dawn chorus, at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond on Saturday 11th May!
READ MOREImmerse yourself in the natural beauty of RSPB Loch Lomond and captivate your senses as you head out on a guided bluebell walk through this picturesque reserve!
READ MOREJoin the team at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond in Gartocharn and go in search of some natural foodie delights!
READ MOREJoin the team at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond for a guided walk which will show you how to identify some of the wildflowers on the reserve and hear about their historical uses!
READ MORELoch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre is located within the boundaries of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the first National Park in Scotland.
READ MORESEA LIFE Loch Lomond Aquarium is just 20 minutes from Glasgow, situated on the stunning Loch Lomond Shores, offering great fun for all the family, whatever the weather!
READ MORELoch Lomond Shores is a great day out offering designer shopping, an aquarium, restaurants and cafes and outdoor activities - all with fantastic views across Loch Loch Lomond!
READ MORERSPB Baron's Haugh is an important community nature reserve in Motherwell and is a real gem for wildlife and for visitors too.
READ MORERSPB Lochwinnoch is the best place in the west of Scotland for family fun, wild days out and discovering nature with an excellent RSPB shop, visitor centre and visitor trails.
READ MORETreeZone Loch Lomond is based at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, with a view to rival anywhere, looking up the awesome Loch Lomond towards the iconic Ben Lomond on its Eastern shore.
READ MOREGlasgow Green is a popular destination and a great place to spend a day outdoors, it is easily accessible from the city centre and offers something for everyone!
READ MOREPollok Country Park is Glasgow's largest park and the only Country Park within Glasgow. Its extensive woodlands and gardens provide a quiet sanctuary for both visitors and wildlife.
READ MOREGlasgow is home to a world-class collection of museums, covering a wide range of subjects from art and history to science and technology.
READ MOREBalloch Castle Country Park is one of the finest public spaces in the West of Scotland with fantastic views over Loch Lomond and plenty of things to see and do!
READ MOREScotland Street School Museum was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and offers a fascinating glimpse into schooldays of the past.
READ MOREBased in the West End of Glasgow, the Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre comprises a theatre (80 seats), museum and education unit.
READ MORESee more than 2500 exhibits in 14 galleries, walk amongst Scotland's footballing legends in the Hall Of Fame and take the Stadium tour at the Scottish Football Museum!
READ MOREAshton Lane is a cobbled backstreet in the West End of Glasgow and is noted for its bars, restaurants and licensed cinema!
READ MOREIf you are looking for something to do with the kids during the holidays and weekends then look no further than City Sightseeing Glasgow open top tour bus!
READ MORETollcross Children's Farm is an outstanding facility which will appeal to young and old alike. Regulars in the farm are Shire Horses, Shetland Ponies, rabbits, sheep, Highland Cattle and much more!
READ MOREThe Tall Ship Glenlee operates a programme of year-round maritime themed events and activities, with specially devised talks and tours, school visits and costumed volunteer days.
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"