Days out
Loch Garten, Abernethy
Mains of GartenOpenSee opening timesLoch Garten, part of Abernethy nature reserve, is a nature reserve that is ancient, wild and immeasurably special, a place so extraordinary that it can feel like another country.
About
The wildlife-rich Caledonian pineforest of Loch Garten and Abernathy is like no other forest in the UK. Huge, Gnarled, lichen-encrusted Scots pine trees flank the land, interspersed with Blaeberry, Juniper, Rowan, Birch and Heather.
Visit during spring and summer and spot breeding Osprey, Crested Tits, Red Squirrels, Bank Voles, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Siskins and Common Lizards among the Caledonian forest wildlife.
On warm summer days, look out for dragonflies and damselflies, including White Faced-darter and Four-spotted Chaser. On the forest floor,wood ants nests contain up to 250,000 ants – some of our nests are a metre tall.
At dusk, the arrival of Wild Greylag and Pink-footed Geese on Loch Garten is an exhilarating display in autumn and winter. You can also feed coal tits from your hand outside the Nature Centre. You’ll be delighted at how feather-light they are and how their claws tickle.
There's no need to book in advance, please pay at the visitor centre when you arrive. Last entry to the visitor centre is at 4.30 pm.
At a glance
Please do not park on any verges as this causes an obstruction and damages wildlife habitat.
- 52 spaces.
- 3 Blue Badge spaces.
- Capacity for one coach.
- Free parking.
- Natural lighting only.
- No height restrictions.
- Ten 'Sheffield-type' bicycle stands (space for 20 bikes)
- Drop-off can be arranged for those with mobility problems.
Accessible all gender composting toilet with child-friendly seat and baby changing facilities.
Located in accessible toilet.
The track up to the centre is 250m, compacted hard surface, with slight inclines.
The track up to the centre is 250m, compacted hard surface, with slight inclines.
Accessible all gender composting toilet with child-friendly seat and baby changing facilities.
Between April 1 and August 15 you must keep dogs on a lead to protect ground-nesting birds, including capercaillie in the forest and dotterel on the high tops. Please keep dogs away from the loch during spring and summer, as it contains breeding birds. Dogs are not permitted at the Nature Centre, except assistance dogs.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
See what’s here
Contact Loch Garten, Abernethy
abernethy@rspb.org.uk Abernethy National Nature Reserve, Forest Lodge, Nethy Bridge, Highland, PH25 3EF 01479 821409 01479 831476