Near Dunkeld, Perthshire
Loch of the Lowes
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
7.7
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.7Ospreys return in spring and summer to a nest around 150 metres from the hides, while red squirrels and woodland birds can be watched from the visitor centre’s viewing windows.
This is a wildlife-watching reserve with a genuinely close-up vantage point: hides, telescopes and live osprey footage bring the loch’s seasonal wildlife into focus. Come for the returning ospreys in spring and summer, or look for resident red squirrels, wildfowl and woodland birds throughout the year.
Peaceful · Wildlife-rich
Find your way
Open mapNear Dunkeld, Perthshire
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The experience
Spend an hour or two between the hides and visitor centre. Bring time to scan the loch for wildlife, use the available telescopes and binoculars, and look through the live osprey footage. There is no water access or circular path around the loch.
Things to do
Watch for returning ospreys
In spring and summer, look from the hides towards the osprey nest, reported by the reserve as about 150 metres away. Telescopes, binoculars and live video footage are available to visitors.
Allow time to watch from the hides
Scan the visitor-centre viewing windows
Look for red squirrels and great-spotted woodpeckers from the large viewing window; the reserve also lists other woodland birds and deer among its wildlife.
Look for wintering waterbirds
In autumn and winter, watch for Canada and greylag geese, wigeon, tufted ducks, goldeneye, mallards and grey herons.
Walk from Dunkeld to the reserve
A reported loop connects Dunkeld with Loch of the Lowes along quiet roads and trails, with views over fields, farmland and wooded areas. The route can be muddy after rain.
1.5–2 hours
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
Quick Escape: hides and wildlife windows
- 01
Start at the visitor centre and use its displays to get oriented.
- 02
Spend time at the hides, scanning the loch and using the available telescopes and binoculars.
- 03
Check the viewing windows for red squirrels and woodland birds; use the live osprey footage when available.
Half day · Allow half a day, including the walk and time at the reserve
Make a Half Day of It: walk from Dunkeld
- 01
Begin in Dunkeld and follow the reported Loch of the Lowes loop to the reserve.
- 02
Allow for quiet roads and trails, farmland and wooded views; expect a climb near the start and potentially muddy ground after rain.
- 03
Spend time at the visitor centre and hides before returning to Dunkeld by the route you came.
Hidden details
The osprey nest is close to the hides — The Scottish Wildlife Trust places the returning osprey nest about 150 metres from the hides—a useful detail when choosing where to focus your viewing.
There is no path around the loch — Despite routes and map listings that may suggest a loch circuit, the reserve states that there is no circular path around the loch and no access to the water. The AllTrails loop described here starts in Dunkeld and travels to the reserve.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · Check before visiting; the supplied sources do not identify a best time of day.
April–August is the reserve’s stated period for returning ospreys. The reserve also lists beavers from April–September and red squirrels, wildfowl, garden birds and deer throughout the year; autumn and winter bring additional visiting geese and ducks.
The reported Dunkeld walking loop can be muddy after rain; sturdy footwear is advisable. Check current reserve notices before travelling.
What to look for
- 01
In spring and summer, scan from the hides towards the osprey nest, about 150 metres away. From the visitor centre’s viewing windows, look for red squirrels and great-spotted woodpeckers
- 02
in autumn and winter, watch for geese and ducks on the loch.
Best time to go
April–August for ospreys; the reserve lists beavers from April–September and red squirrels, wildfowl, garden birds and deer all year.
April–August is the reserve’s stated season for ospreys. Visit at another time of year for all-year wildlife, or in autumn and winter for visiting geese and ducks.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Families · Wildlife lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve includes woodland, a freshwater loch, visitor centre and hides. Tickets are available at the door. There is no access to the water and no circular path around the loch. Check the reserve’s current updates before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
The reserve has a car park; check current access and any closures with the Scottish Wildlife Trust before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Hot drinks and snacks are available at the visitor centre; Tripadvisor also reports light refreshments.
Dogs
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Check before visiting; the reserve directs visitors to Euan’s Guide for detailed accessibility information.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Water
Lake
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Loch of the Lowes
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
