Overview

The Bird of Prey Centre is within the grounds of Loch Lomond Shores. There is a large car-park, with many marked disabled parking bays. It can be easy not to initially see where the Bird Centre is, as it is not right at the main shopping complex, but about half way up the path beside the car-park. It is a broad, paved path to it, smooth and ideal for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The entrance has a big hedge either side, and the birds have a nice woodland view! It is sign posted, and there is a large map of the whole venue. The Bird of Prey Centre itself we found to be very accessible. There is a ramp and steps to the entrance/small shop. The doorway may be a bit tight for a larger power wheelchair, but there is another path which goes around the shop, so you could still enter the centre without going into the entrance/shop. The whole centre has wide, flat paths, and you can look around at all the birds at your own pace. It is all outside, so dress suitably for whatever the weather is. There are hawks, buzzards, a variety of owls, and you must meet Orla the Golden Eagle! The staff are very knowledgeable and can tell you a lot about each of the birds, the whole Centre is always very clean . Once you have paid to get in, this covers your entrance for the whole day, so you can go in and out as you want. There are other things to see & do at the Shores, so you can perhaps visit them too. There are no accessible toilets within the Bird Centre, but are within the Lomond Shores venue it is part of. The ones at the main entrance to the shops (where Jenners is) are quite close by. There are accessible toilets within the main toilet blocks there, two in each the male and female toilets. There is another individual accessible toilet at the other end of the Jenners store.

Transport & Parking

Lomond Shores (where the Bird of Prey Centre is) has a large car park, with many marked disabled bays, a drop-off point, and coach parking. The nearest train station is in Balloch, which is probably about a 10-15 minute walk away (although there is also a taxi rank immediately outside the station). Buses also do come to the area.

Access

Toilets

The main toilets were very spacious, the accessible toilets within the main blocks (2 male, 2 female) were large with enough room for a carer. On one side of the toilet there was a support fixed to the wall, and on the other side the support could be folded down. There is another individual accessible toilet within Lomond Shores. They are all signposted.

Staff

Stewart is the manager of the Bird Centre, and can tell you lots of information about them all. He obviously has a close bond with the birds which you can see in the way they respond to him. He seems happy for people to take their time & take an interest in them. You never feel like you have to rush round.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Incredible birds and worth a visit. Check the opening hours before you go - in winter it tends to open just at weekend's, but is open all week in summer.

Photos