Loch Garten & RSPB Abernethy
Loch Garten
A peaceful loch among the ancient pines of Abernethy, the symbol of the return of ospreys to Britain, where you can watch nesting ospreys and red squirrels from an observation hide.
Loch Garten lies within the Abernethy National Nature Reserve, surrounded by ancient Scots pine forest. In 1954, ospreys nested here for the first time after having been extinct in Britain for many years, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) then set up an observation centre, which has become a symbol of British nature conservation. In summer you can use telescopes at the hide to watch ospreys raising their young, and red squirrels and coal tits often visit the feeding table. A loop trail of about 4 km circles the loch through peaceful scenery. Opening seasons and hours change each year, so check the RSPB website before setting out. It is about 15 km from Aviemore and can be reached by car or bicycle.
Opening hours
Approx. Apr–Aug (check RSPB website)
Nearby sights
- Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
- An Lochan Uaine (Green Loch)
- Loch Morlich
- CairnGorm Mountain Railway
- Landmark Forest Adventure Park
- Carrbridge Packhorse Bridge
- Strathspey Railway
- Rothiemurchus Estate