Explore Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre
Explore Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre

Explore Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre

If you’re looking for a getaway day-trip in Scotland then we have a great activity for your stack! Head down to Loch Garten Nature Centre in Abernethy for the chance to see some of Scotland’s most amazing wildlife and beautiful landscape.

Where is Loch Garten?

From Aviemore follow the RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre road signs, or take the B9150/A95 buses from Aviemore train station around 10 miles away, then following the RSPB road signs.

Loch Garten Nature Centre is an extraordinary site – it’s ancient, wild and home to a spectacularly diverse ecosystem. The centre is home to over 5000 different species! Walk the forest tracks in the early morning for your best chance to see it’s bird life, including the beautiful crested tit and the striking osprey. Visit during the spring and summer months to see a wealth of Highland wildlife, such as the illusive red squirrel, bank voles, while golden eagles and red deer await further afield. Their team will be on hand to help you, where you can use the CCTV screens, binoculars or telescopes to get a great close-up view of the wildlife. Families can take the kids to enjoy a range of activities, such as the explorer bag available for hire at the centre, while mum and dad sit with a coffee and snack from the shop at the picnic tables. This BBC Nature Reserve of the Year is the perfect trip for families, nature-lovers or anyone looking for a wild excursion away from the city.

  • Admission:
    Adults £5, Children £2.50 (free entrance for first child and free for under 5’s), Student £3.50.
  • The centre is currently closed for the season and will reopen from 1st April 2022, 10am to 5.30pm.
  • The wider Abernethy reserve and the Loch Mallachie trails nearby remain open all year.
  • Check the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for rules and advice on how to respect the wildlife and green spaces.
  • Dogs on a lead are welcome in the reserve, but not permitted in the nature centre except guide dogs.

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