[JTweedie]

I plan to visit Loch of the Lowes this Saturday. I'll be getting the 7.10 train from Glasgow - can anyone tell me if the reserve is easy to find from Dunkeld? I would probably walk from Dunkeld to the reserve as it's only 2 miles apparently - has anyone done this, or do any forum members live in the area so know it well?

Other than the ospreys, what other species am I likely to see there?

I'm also pondering staying in Dunkeld and returning to Glasgow on Sunday - does Dunkeld have many places to stay?

Thanks.

[IanF]

Hi, we've been to visit a couple of times now and I much prefer the Loch of the Lowes site to Loch Garten on Speyside as regards the Osprey. A scope is till advisable for best views but bincoculars give good views too.

We had no difficulty finding the site, simply following the road to the north of the town east past the golf course - though it's a good two miles if not a little further from Dunkeld with the road being quite steep in places and a bit narrow. We did it by car. It's well worth the trip though as apart from the Ospreys there are usually a few other birds on the Loch itself and plenty of woodland ones on the approach to the visitor centre and hide. Also the staff are very friendly and there is a feeding station beside the centre,.

Dunkeld I recall was a small town with plenty of shops and a couple of hotels and B&B's, though I can't give you specifics.

[JTweedie]

Originally Posted by IanF

Hi, we've been to visit a couple of times now and I much prefer the Loch of the Lowes site to Loch Garten on Speyside as regards the Osprey. A scope is till advisable for best views but bincoculars give good views too.

We had no difficulty finding the site, simply following the road to the north of the town east past the golf course - though it's a good two miles if not a little further from Dunkeld with the road being quite steep in places and a bit narrow.

On the reserve leaflet, it says there's a footpath from Dunkeld to the centre, although I've since found references to a five mile trek - don't know whether I'm up for a 10 mile round trip!

[IanF]

Sounds more like it though that may be around the Loch of the Lowes itself rather than just the reserve at the west end!

I'd have thought 5 miles maybe the round trip figure at most.

In fact check out this Multimap Link The hide is at the 'V' - you can zoom out for bearings. I often use these maps when visiting new areas - hit the print feature to see a larger area and see the route from the railway station

Still a fair distance to carry a scope. They did have scope and binos for use in the hide if you don't want to carry your own and there is a small fee if you aren't already a member of a Wildlife Trust.

[mamo]

i visited LoL many years ago and there was a nesting Slav Grebe clearly visible from the hide. A wonderful looking bird, though the Ospreys weren't nesting then. Jeez, musta been more years than i thought

mamo

[Steve G]

No Slav. grebes now but Great Crested usually nests near the hide. The walk up from Dunkeld is quite steep at bits & though it's possible to walk it's actually a fair distance from the station which is at the "wrong" end of Dunkeld. As Ian has said a scope is advisable. There are no refreshments available at the visitors centre though there are toilets. If you get there early & before the crowds then it's quite pleasant. The loch holds some nesting Grey-lag & Canada geese, Mallard, Tufted duck, Goldeneye, Goosander & the surrounding woodland holds various tits, Treecreepers, Willow & Garden warbler, Redstart (scarce), Spotted Flycatcher & Cuckoo.