Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre

What it’s like

Watch birds of prey fly overhead, then walk the Discovery Trail to see how they live up close.

The main event here is the flying display, run daily, where you get to watch birds of prey doing what they're built for rather than just sitting on a perch looking moody. Kids follow that up with the Discovery Trail, which walks you through the native wildlife and how it all fits together, and if you fancy going further there are Bird of Prey Experiences that get you properly close to the birds, running all year round even when the main centre's shut.

It's £6 for a child and £10 for an adult, which feels fair for an afternoon rather than a five-minute photo stop. There's no booking system to fuss with, you just turn up. Term-time school visits get their own discounted rate too, so it's clearly set up to handle groups as well as a Saturday family trip.

The centre only runs mid-February to the end of October, shut over winter, so this isn't a wet Tuesday in December fallback. Hours are 10am to 4 or 5pm depending on the time of year. It's a ten minute walk from Balloch train and bus stations if you're coming without a car, and the site says it's fully accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, with proper space around the flying area rather than a squeeze at the back.

Ages 3 to 16 are catered for on the child ticket, and the flying displays should hold attention even before they can read the interpretation boards on the trail. If you're keen, there's also the option to sponsor a bird for free entry over the following year, which is a nice one for a family that knows it'll be back.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

Ages 3 to 16, with daily flying shows the main draw

Wheelchairs

Fully accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walking frames

Getting there by bus or train

10 minute walk from Balloch train and bus stations

Worth knowing

Sponsor a bird and get twelve months free entry

• No booking needed, just show up during opening hours
• Shut from early November to early February, so check the season before you plan a visit
• Bird of Prey Experiences run all year, even when the main centre's closed
• Ten minute walk from Balloch train and bus stations if you're not driving
• Sponsoring a bird gets you free entry for the following twelve months

Plan your visit

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