Visitors can enjoy a full day visiting the bird of prey live viewing project and enjoying the numerous woodland and waterfall walks originating from the lodge.

The Aberfoyle live bird of prey viewing project

1 January to 31 December

Part of the Trossachs Bird of Prey Trail, the RSPB and Forestry Commission Scotland are working together at the Aberfoyle live bird of prey viewing project offering the opportunity to view nesting ospreys, buzzards, ravens, and peregrine falcons live on camera. You can follow the progress of the ospreys on the Forestry Commission website.

You can also get advice on where to see the birds live for yourself.

The project is found in the Trossachs at the beautifully situated David Marshall Lodge visitor centre.

With stunning views across to Ben Lomond and a short drive to some of the most beautiful lochs in Scotland, you could enjoy a full day visiting the bird of prey live viewing project and enjoying the numerous woodland and waterfall walks originating from the lodge.

There are numerous facilities on offer including a coffee shop, children's adventure play area and red squirrel hide. Schoolchildren can become involved in 'Ospreywatch' and there are lots of quizzes and activities available.

The project attracted over 40,000 people between April and September in 2006.

Opening times

The live viewing for ospreys is from April to September, but the project is open all year for people to visit with a highlights DVD and volunteers and staff available over the winter period.

January and February: 10 am-4 pm, Thursday-Sunday only
March-May: 10 am-5 pm daily
June-August: 10 am-6 pm daily
September-November: 10 am-5 pm daily
December: 10 am-4 pm daily. Closed 25 December 2006-2 January 2007.

Facilities

There is a coffee shop, woodland craft shop and disabled toilets.

How to get there

The project is only signposted from the outskirts of Aberfoyle. From Glasgow and Stirling, take the A81 straight to Aberfoyle. Drive through the village of Aberfoyle, taking the road round to the right and up the hill. The David Marshall Lodge is on the right about a mile after the village.

What should I bring?

Binoculars useful if interested, good footwear for walks if wet, if dry most OK with normal footwear unless doing hill walks.

Why not make a day of it?

Nearby attractions that you may also like to visit:

• Trossachs Bird of Prey Trail
• Glen Finglas
• Flanders Moss NNR
• Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

This is a joint partnership project between the RSPB and Forestry Commission Scotland, with support from Lomond & Rural Stirling Leader+ EU funding programme.