Inversnaid

All of Scotland’s wild places and green spaces are vital for the survival of its unique, amazing wildlife. If you plan to head out to these areas please respect and protect Scotland’s great outdoors. As guidelines change we are working hard to re-open our facilities. We ask that all visitors follow the latest Scottish Government restrictions on travel and group sizes and advice on physical distancing and hygiene. See below for reserve details and our dedicated Covid-19 updates page for the latest safety information (link below). Thank you for your continued support and patience in these challenging times. Stay safe everyone.

Address: Garrison Farm, Inversnaid, Stirling FK8 3TU

Grid ref: NN337090

What3Words: level.multiple.costly

See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

Set in the remote and awe-inspiring scenery of the Trossachs, Inversnaid boasts both a romantic and interesting history. It’s a very special place for nature lovers. Exploring the trails at this stunning reserve will bring you face-to-face with extraordinary wildlife, long-lost ruins and spectacular views.

Plan your visit

Covid-19 update: The visitor gateway and car park are currently closed at this reserve. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.

Trails are open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome

Facilities

Visitor centre is closed
Car park is closed
Toilets are closed
Accessible toilets are closed
Nature trails

Accessibility

How to get here

By bike

A Sustrans route runs through Aberfoyle.

By road

From Aberfoyle, follow the B829 sign posted to Inversnaid. After 12 miles (19 km) on single track, turn left at a T-junction. Garrison Farm is on the right before you reach the Inversnaid bunkhouse. To access the other section of the reserve, continue down the hill to the Inversnaid Hotel and car park and then follow the West Highland Way.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

The reserve can be accessed by foot along the West Highland Way from both north and south. Cruise Loch Lomond runs at least three cruises a day from Tarbet to Inversnaid during high season. A waterbus timetable is also available.

Get directions from Google Maps

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RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Groups are welcome to visit. Please contact us directly for more information.

Schools are welcome to visit. Please contact us directly for more information.

Contact Inversnaid

Garrison Farm, Inversnaid, Stirling FK8 3TU
inversnaid@rspb.org.uk
01389830670

What will you see?

Our star species

Black grouse

In spring, male black grouse put on an extraordinary display.

Pied flycatcher

It is easy to see how this bird gets its name on a spring walk around the woodland at Inversnaid.

Redstart

Watch out for them in spring and summer shivering their reddish tails.

Twite

A small number of twites breed at Inversnaid.

Wood warbler

Listen for the song of the wood warbler coming from the oak canopy from late April into June.

Nature spectacles

In the spring, the woodland beside the loch is carpeted in bluebells and alive with the sound of birdsong.

Spring and summer are busy times for nature and a great time for you to explore:

Walk through beautiful woodland, listening to the dawn chorus of our woodland bird suite.
Watch black grouse males competing for the attention of females on a lek (display ground).
Spot beautiful fluttering butterflies in sunny woodland glades and the open hills.
Look out for peregrines, ospreys and golden eagles, which visit all areas of the reserve.
Sniff out pine martens’ dark, twisted poo, usually on rocks and full of red berries. Take the Cruise Loch Lomond ferry and combine a boat trip with your reserve visit.

Spring and summer are busy times for nature and a great time for you to explore:

Walk through beautiful woodland, listening to the dawn chorus of our woodland bird suite.
Watch black grouse males competing for the attention of females on a lek (display ground).
Spot beautiful fluttering butterflies in sunny woodland glades and the open hills.
Look out for peregrines, ospreys and golden eagles, which visit all areas of the reserve.
Sniff out pine martens’ dark, twisted poo, usually on rocks and full of red berries. Take the Cruise Loch Lomond ferry and combine a boat trip with your reserve visit.

Five things not to miss during the chillier months:

Listen for rutting stags high up on the hills.
Walk along the banks of Loch Lomond to search for rare ferns and mosses, before returning to the hotel for a hot drink.
Look for dippers and grey wagtails along the Loch shore.
See if you can find a huge milk cap fungus– it can be bigger than a dinner plate!
Look for flocks of fieldfares feasting on berries on the hill trail, while enjoying the rich history of Rob Roy’s glen.

Five things not to miss during the chillier months:

Listen for rutting stags high up on the hills.
Walk along the banks of Loch Lomond to search for rare ferns and mosses.
Look for dippers and grey wagtails along the Loch shore.
See if you can find a huge milk cap fungus– it can be bigger than a dinner plate!
Look for flocks of fieldfares feasting on berries on the hill trail, while enjoying the rich history of Rob Roy’s glen.

About Inversnaid

Habitat

Inversnaid is on the east shore of Loch Lomond, where Atlantic oak woodland rises steeply from the loch and gives way to open moorland with spectacular views. The reserve is more than 800ha in size and rises from around sea level right up to the summit of Beinn a’ Choin which peaks at 770m.

Conservation

We plan to restore mixed native woodland and montane scrub on poor-quality heathland over the next 100 years.

Inversnaid Reserve is part of The Great Trossachs Forest project, which is the result of a unique collaboration known as the Scottish Forest Alliance which is made up of Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), RSPB Scotland, Woodland Trust Scotland (WTS) and multi-national company, BP.

RSPB Scotland Inversnaid is a very special place, an internationally important example of rare Atlantic oak woodland - a habitat so rich that it is also referred to as temperate rainforest.

Partners

Black grouse conservation work here is supported by The Famous Grouse.

Site information

Pollochro Woods at Inversnaid is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), as well as a Natura 2000 site.

This nature reserve is important for wildlife. RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

RSPB Scotland Inversnaid has lots of wide open spaces to explore for children. Take time to look for bugs, birds and animals - play in streams or hug a tree! Please note that paths can be steep, muddy and unsuitable for pushchairs.

Leisure activities

As well as the magnificent wildlife spectacle on site, there is also a great deal of history. Rob Roy is thought to have owned and lived in the glen at Inversnaid, eventually being hounded out by the Duke of Montrose. The remains of many 17/18th century buildings can be seen from both the woodland trail and the upland trail, as well as field boundaries and runrig from the same period.

Marshside

Lytchett Fields

Arne

Inversnaid