Stretching over a vast 98 hectares of Scottish countryside near Dunkeld, Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve is a popular attraction in Scotland. The centre is an excellent day out for all ages and gives visitors the chance to get up close to a range of Scottish wildlife including red squirrels, beavers, ospreys, woodpeckers and many more.
The star attraction is the infamous pair of breeding ospreys which return to the Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve every year.
Wildlife at Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve
A huge range of animals live in the wildlife reserve in Dunkeld, and the visitor centre provides a unique and easy way of observing these wonderful creatures. Viewing windows, binoculars, telescopes and live video footage are all used to see the animals that reside in the reserve. The Ospreys are the main attraction, as the Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve has played a vital role in the breeding of ospreys in the UK.
Ospreys were driven to extinction across most of the country back in the late 19th century, and after a lot of support through artificial nesting and legal platforms, they eventually returned to Scotland. The ospreys first appeared at Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve in 1969 and have been successfully breeding there every year since.
Visiting Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve
Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve is open all year round, but depending on what you want to see during your trip you should time your visit accordingly. The ospreys can be seen between April and August, and if you want to see the beavers, then visit between April and September.
The red squirrels, wildfowl and deer, can be seen throughout the year. In the visitor centre, there are lots of interactive displays that bring the story of the Loch of the Lowes to life. Children and adults of all ages will enjoy the regular family and educational events that take place throughout the year.