Accessibility Guide for RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre

Travel by public transport

You can get to RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre by bus and train.

The nearest bus stop is located at the Raebreck junction, on the B970 just south of Nethy Bridge. The number 34 bus runs regularly between Aviemore and Grantown-on-Spey, with stops at Boat of Garten and Nethy Bridge, and will stop on request at Raebreck. A footpath leads directly from the bus stop to the Nature Centre. A timetable for the No.34D bus can be found here: https://www.tis-kml-stagecoach.s3.amazonaws.com/PdfTimetables/XIAO034D.pdf The bus stop is 1.5 miles / 2.4 km from RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre.

The nearest train station is Boat of Garten. The train station is 4 miles / 6.4 km from RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Nature Centre.

The nearest mainline railway station is Aviemore however, the Strathspey steam train runs between Aviemore and Broomhill stations regularly during the summer, stopping at Boat of Garten on the way. From Boat of Garten the reserve can be reached on foot, by bike or by bus. A timetable for the steam train can be found here: https://www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk/timetable.

The footpath from the bus stop to the Nature Centre runs adjacent to the road and passes a boardwalk for dragonfly spotting, access to the Speyside Way and the start of our "Two Lochs" trail, via the Loch Mallachie car park. The path is undulating and is rocky and uneven in places.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Aviemore Taxis by calling 01479810111. You can get a taxi with Gerry's Taxis by calling 01479812000.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is free.

There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point has a dropped kerb.

From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The route is 1800mm wide, or more.

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

The car park is approximately 10m from the Welcome kiosk - the main entrance to the visitor centre. The centre itself is then a further 250m walk up a gently-sloping but smooth path. Visitors who are unable to walk that distance are welcome to drive their own car from the car park to the visitor centre. On arrival, visitors who would like to do this should speak to a member of staff at the Welcome kiosk, who will provide further instructions and a key to unlock the gate at the vehicle access entrance.

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have contrast markings on all glass doors and contrast markings on all full-height windows.

Ticket/ information desk

The Welcome Kiosk

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1800mm wide, or more.

The Welcome Kiosk is located next to the car park and is entrance to the visitor centre. The kiosk always has a staff member present who will be happy to give further information or answer any questions. 

Things to See and Do

We have a concessionary rate for disabled visitors.

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

Public toilet

The Toilets

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.

There is 1400mm in front of the toilet. The toilets have handrails.

The toilet for use by visitors with disabilities is located just around the corner from the Welcome kiosk, along a section of smooth boardwalk. There is plenty of space for a wheelchair and another person if necessary and there are handrails provided for assistance with transfer to and from the toilet.

Shop

The shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

The shop is fully accessible and shelves are placed at different levels for ease of access to the stock. Staff are always on hand to assist visitors and provide further information.

Designated Walking Trail

Big Pines Trail

The trail is 500metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. The trail is narrow in parts, with occasional tree stumps, roots and stones. The trail is sloped.

The Big Pines trail is accessible directly from the Nature Centre car park. There is limited parking available at around the halfway point, making shorter walks an option. The trail ends at the Loch Mallachie car park, from where the Two Lochs trail begins.

Designated Walking Trail

Two Lochs Trail

The trail is 2000metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. The trail can become muddy in wet weather and there is one section where the trail passes over a network of exposed tree roots. The trail is sloped.

The Two Lochs Trail begins from the Loch Mallachie car park, approximately 500m from the Nature Centre car park.  It runs through a beautiful section of pine forest, passing along the westen edge of Loch Garten before reaching the shore of Loch Mallachie and then looping back to the car park. The trail is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs except for a small section by Loch Mallachie where some exposed tree roots might make passing difficult. In wet conditions the ground can get very soft and muddy. Although the entire trail is a loop of approximately 2km, just 150m from the car park a path can be taken to the shore of the loch for beautiful views. The ground around this shore area also has exposed tree roots, making the going tough for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Picnic Area

Picnic Benches

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

The picnic benches are located directly outside the main visitor centre, with great views of our bird feeders. There is space for a wheelchair at the round bench or on the end of the rectangular bench. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnics, however, snacks and drinks are available from the shop inside the centre and this is accessible via a ramp through the main entrance.

Outdoor play area

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access.

The outdoor play area is located next to the picnic benches and contains a "mud kitchen", bug hotel and cut-out photo board.

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

Wheelchairs can be obtained from the Welcome Kiosk on request.

For a list of more items, please go to https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/loch-garten/accessib....

Assistance dogs on leads are permitted to use the area around the car park as a toilet area, provided they are fully cleaned up after. A bin is provided at the Welcome Kiosk for used bags.

We have an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.

Power sockets are available in the visitor centre and may be used on request. Any member of staff or volunteer will be happy to help.

You can hire mobility equipment from Where 2 Today by calling 01479 810004.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

There are three emergency exits suitable for wheelchair users. 

Customer care support

All staff have disability awareness training.

Staff have received Visit Scotland disability awareness training and in-house safeguarding course. Some staff have acquired an official first aid certificate.

We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

Any visitor with accessibility requirements may drive their own vehicle from the car park to the main visitor centre, thereby negating a walk of approximately 250m. This does require driving through a locked gate, the key to which can be obtained from the welcome kiosk at the car park. Cars can be parked directly outside the visitor centre and more details can be provided by staff on arrival.