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The Osprey Centre by Aviemore: Loch Garten in the Cairngorms
Abernethy nature reserve is the RSPBs second largest nature reserve; stretching from Nethy bridge and Boat of Garten, right down into the heart of the Cairngorms. In it’s northern region, not far from Aviemore, is a visitor centre, dedicated to the protection and management of one of Scotland’s most majestic birds; the Osprey. The Ospreys have been nesting at Loch Garten since the 1950’s, and return every year in spring to breed, using the waters of the loch as a hunting ground to catch their primary food source of fish.
The nature reserve and forests surrounding Loch Garten are a paradise for all kinds of wildlife, including Capercaillie and Red Squirrels, both of which are under threat and in need of protection. Trails criss-cross through the woodland and around the water, providing ample opportunity to observe this elusive wildlife and experience one of the country's most beautiful habitats, the Caledonian pine-forest.
The centre itself is a great base for your day out, with a boardwalk out across the moor to a ‘nature hub’ containing a small shop selling snacks, sandwiches and hot drinks, as well as viewing points and plenty of educational displays, providing an optimal place to see the local wildlife, including the ospreys. The staff here are excellent, always on hand to provide answers to any questions you might have. You can also expect the usual creature comforts, such as a sizable car park and free public toilets if you get caught short!
Where is Loch Garten
Loch Garten is located just north-east of Aviemore, in the northern regions of the Cairngorms national park, around an hour south of Inverness.
About the Ospreys
The most famous residents of Loch Garten, the Ospreys, have been coming here to breed every spring since the 1950’s, after a miraculous return from extinction across the British Isles. During the 1800’s they were hunted for taxidermy and collections, and their eggs stolen, leading to a last breeding pair reported in Scotland in 1916.
During the 1950’s, it’s believed a few breeding pairs arrived in the country from Scandinavia, restoring hope, and providing a small chance for this beautiful bird to return to Britain. In 1958, the first birds were sighted breeding at Loch Garten, and ever since the RSPB have worked tirelessly to protect and nurture the return of their population.
There are now supposedly around 300 breeding pairs across Scotland, England and Wales, and their numbers are only increasing.
A special Osprey nesting site has been constructed at Loch Garten, high above the trees, providing the perfect place for these birds to nest and hunt for food in the nearby Loch. Alongside the nest, a set of webcams have been set up, allowing you to peep in and watch their comings and goings from the comfort of your own home!
You can check out the Loch Garten nest camera and other webcams here.
Visiting Loch Garten
Loch Garten is available to visit all year round, however there are definitely some better times to go so you get the most of the opportunities available.
The Ospreys themselves come here to nest during the spring and summer, so if you’re keen on spotting them, don’t visit during the autumn and winter months, as they’re away on their winter migration.
Opening times
The surrounding reserve and trails are open all year-round, 24/7 for you to access and enjoy, however the centre itself, with its boardwalk, education hub and shop is only open at set times.
The centre is open from 10am-5:30pm from April to mid-October.
The car park is free to use at all times, even when the centre is closed for the winter.
Admission prices
Parking at the reserve is free, as is access to the nature trails and surrounding area, although access to the centre and the education hub is paid:
Adults - £5
Children - £2.50 (First child goes free, as well as under 5’s)
Student - £3.50
RSPB Members - Free
Carers - Free
How to get there
If you’re coming by car, simply follow the signs for RSPB Scotland Loch Garten from Aviemore, turning off the A95 towards Boat of Garten and following the road through the woods to the centre.
There is no direct public transport to the centre sadly. The nearest train station is Aviemore, 10 miles away, and from here you can get the bus towards Grantown-on-Spey, getting off at the nearest stop on the B970 (Raebreck Junction). This leaves you around 1.4 miles away, but from here a dedicated footpath will take you right to the centre. You can view that route here.
What to do when you’re there
Loch Garten is an outdoor haven, with plenty of walks in the surrounding area that will keep you entertained for hours before you even visit the centre.
The RSPB have set up two curated walking trails along the side of the loch, The Big Pines and The Two Lochs trails. You can view a map of these trails, along with some other information here.
We decided to walk the longer, Two Lochs trail on our visit; a circular route along the side of Loch Garten to the nearby Loch Mallachie and back again. The path was extremely clear and well signposted, however take care in some sections, the tree roots underfoot can be a real trip hazard towards the end of the path! We kept our eyes peeled for wildlife along the way, and luckily we managed to spot a rare red squirrel, although it was much too fast to snap a photo…
From the top of the trail, the footpaths extend further into the Abernathy reserve with the opportunity for longer circular walks for the more adventurous, but we fancied an early afternoon coffee, so we turned and headed back towards the centre.
We had parked in the secondary car park, and so had to walk along their Big Pines trail to reach the centre itself. This was a much shorter walk along the edge of the road, and not quite as impressive or as tranquil as the other loop, although it serves as a nice link between the car parks.
As RSPB members, we entered for free and meandered down the boardwalk to the education centre, stopping to snap some ‘attempts’ at wildlife photography along the way. The education centre itself is a real treat (as well as the coffee we promptly bought in the shop), with plenty of information it’s almost too much to take in. We spent ages peering through the provided binoculars and scopes, trying to spot a glimpse of the elusive ospreys in the air. Unfortunately they weren’t very active that day, and the only glimpse we got was on the webcam screen on the wall in the centre.
If you’re an avid birdwatcher you could easily spend all day here, watching the comings and goings of all kinds of birds, small and large, including Crested Tits, Goldeneyes, Scottish Crossbills and Capercaillie.
While we didn’t partake in one ourselves, the RSPB also run guided walks and events throughout the summer for those looking for a more curated day out. You can have a look at their planned events, including dates and times here.
Things to do nearby
When you’ve had your fill of Loch Garten, just up the road, past the town of Nethy Bridge, is the old ruin of Castle Roy and the Abernethy Old Kirk. Free to park and enter, only asking for a donation, this small old fort is a lovely spot for a short lunch break and take in the local history. On the way there, don’t forget to stop for a coffee and homemade sweet treat from the Nethy House Cafe in Nethy Bridge.
A little further north is the Speyside Centre, a lovely visiting spot with a shop, cafe and garden centre. It’s a great place to browse, it’s filled with all sorts of lovely goods, including clothing, homeware, food and of course, whisky. The outdoors areas are lovely too, with landscaped gardens and plenty of seating areas.
For those with kids, Landmark Adventure Park is a great day out, with plenty of activities to keep them entertained for hours, including slides, ropes courses, climbing walls and more!
Where to stay
If you’re looking to stay as close as possible, Boat of Garten has some lovely holiday accommodation available. My favourite being the Wildcat Lodge, a beautiful granite stone cottage with wooden extensions, a contemporary interior and of course, a hot tub. Nestled in a copse of pine trees it’s the perfect location for a Cairngorms bird watching retreat.
Another great option is The Old Mill on the Spey, a beautiful old mill house right on the shores of one of Scotland’s largest rivers, the Spey. It’s cosy interior, lovely exterior decking and traditional aesthetic make it a great place to unwind after a day’s adventuring in the highlands.
If you don’t mind going a little further away, look no further than the Pine Martin Lodge near Grantown-on-Spey. This house is an absolute dream come true, a classic log cabin on stilts, surrounded by pine forest with a clean modern interior and all the comforts of home. You absolutely need to stay here.
Conclusion
Loch Garten Osprey Centre truly is a special place, being one of the few places in the UK to see these beautiful rare birds, and in such a stunning environment. For a short morning walk or a day’s birdwatching it’s definitely worth a visit!
