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Welcome

RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond is a stunning mix of woodlands and wetlands on the banks of Loch Lomond. This remarkable destination is home to a huge range of wildlife from ospreys in the summer to skeins of geese in the colder months.

The reserve is beautiful at any time of year. A visit will reward you with an array of sights and sounds from some of Scotland's most loved wildlife.

In spring the woodland comes alive with a carpet of bluebells and birdsong, summer sees butterflies, bees and beautiful flowers emerging. In autumn the dramatic colours of the trees will take your breath away and in winter the calls of wintering geese, ducks and swans are never too far away.

View over loch towards conic hill with blue sky.

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Portaloo toiletPond area

There is level access from the car park to:

Viewpoint picnic area

Access with steps

There are steps from the main entrance to:

Nature Hub

Getting here

For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.
High Wards Farm
Gartocharn
G83 8SB

Travel by public transport

You can get to RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond by bus and train.
Nature hub: The nearest bus stop is in Gartocharn. There is no pavement from the bus stop to the site entrance and the road is very busy. Shore Wood path: There is a trail from the nature hub to shore wood path. To go directly to Shore Wood path, the nearest bus stop is in Gartocharn. To reach the Millennium Hall turn off the A811 onto Church Road. Head along Church Road until the Kilmaronock Millennium Hall. Follow the Aber Right of Way signpost on the right of the hall. This will take you through fields that can be extremely muddy at times. Follow the signs for Aber Right of Way and Loch Lomond NNR for 20min and you will reach the entrance. Read more at rspb.org.uk/lochlomond The bus stop is 1 miles / 1.6 km from RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond.
The nearest train station is Balloch. The train station is 5 miles / 8.1 km from RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond.

A bus or taxi would be required from Balloch train station.

There is no pavement from the bus stop to the site entrance and the road (A811) is extremely busy.

 

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. Entrance from carpark to nature reserve Entrance from carpark to nature reserve Entrance from nature hub to trails

Arrival

Path to main entrance

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

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

The main entrance to the nature reserve has level access.

From April to end of October the Nature Hub information and activites table is outside with level access

The Nature Hub has 4 steps to get inside (winter)

Nature Hub exterior Nature Hub at entrance to RSPB Loch Lomond

Getting around inside

Public toilet

Portaloo toilet

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The toilet door is 750mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.
There is 740mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 520mm high. The toilets have handrails.

General door width: 810mm

Narrowest part of door: 750mm (this is also narrowest part of route from main entrance to the loo)

Direction of transfer: from front (toilet next to wall on left and sanitary bin and table on right)

Width of space in front of toilet: 740mm (measured to baby changer)

Height of toilet seat (with seat down): 520mm

Handrails: behind toilet, in front of toilet and on the left

From floor to rail beneath baby changer: 830mm

path leading to toilet Toilet interior

Nature Hub

The door is 730mm wide.
From the main entrance to this area, there are 4 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.
NATURE HUB EXTERIOR

Getting around outside

Viewpoint Trail

The trail is 200metres long. The trail has a hard surface. The trail has seats.

Hardcore path leading out to stunning views of Ben Lomond and Conic Hill, overlooking the woodlands and fen of RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond. In summer watch for soaring ospreys and listen to the birdsong from the woodlands close by.  In winter watch skeins of geese making their way from their overnight roost to their daytime feeding grounds.

Den building area along trail Viewpoint path

Designated Walking Trail

Airey Woodland Trail

The trail is 950metres long. The trail has a hard surface. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

A woodland trail winding through coppiced alder woodland, leading into a wildflower meadow and past a small pond. The woodland is a great place to look for tree pipits (summer), bullfinches, treecreepers and goldcrests. The meadow in summer is buzzing with bees, butterflies and watch out for frogs by the pond too!
 

The trail has some steep slopes along the way. The most even surface is to the left of the crossroads although there are still some slopes slong this section too.

The steepest section of the path has a handrail.

Airey woodland trail Bluebells and bench along Airey trail Carved bench Handrail along Airey trail Slope leading to pond

Designated Walking Trail

Lomond Trail

The trail is 1500metres long. The trail has a hard surface. There is a gate at the end of Lomond trail leading to Shore Wood path. It is 140cm wide and has a long handle and latch to open it. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

Lomond Trail is 1.3km from the starting point until it reaches Shore Wood path. You take the same route on the way back. The trail is hardcore with some slight slopes. There is a bridge (2m wide), long boardwalk (170cm wide) and shorter sections of boardwalk (120cm wide) along the way. 

Bridge on Lomond trail Boardwalk on Lomond trail Boardwalk on Lomond trail Gate from Lomond Trail to Shore Wood path Picnic bench on Lomond Trail

Designated Walking Trail

Shore Wood path

The trail is 1500metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. There are gates along the way with long handles. The path can get overgrown with vegetation at times. At its worst the overgrown path in 90cm wide. It is generally 120cm wide. The trail has seats.

The path has a rough surface with some large stones throughout. In summer some sections get very overgrown with vegetation. There are gates with long handles alonf the trail. Net Bay is on level access. Shore beach is down an uneven surface and there is no path to access it. 

Shore wood path Gate along Shore Wood path Bench at Net bay Surface of Shore Wood path Entrance gate to Shore Wood path if accessed via Aber Right of Way Steps down to Shore beach

Picnic Area

Viewpoint picnic area

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. The path is 1800mm wide, or more.
Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Picnic Area

Lomond trail oak picnic area

Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Picnic table with wheelchair space placed just before Shore Wood path. 

Picnic bench at ancient oaks

Pond area

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

Sheltered area overlookling the meadow and pond.

Shelter at pond area with seating

Customer care support

Guide info
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