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David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre


(Average user rating5 unrated 4.8/5)

About David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre

Visitor Centre

The Visitor Centre is the best place to start exploring Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.

This impressive building, locally known by its original name, the David Marshall Lodge, was gifted to the Forestry Commission in 1960 by the Carnegie Trust. The David Marshall Lodge offers some of the most spectacular views in the area, including a stunning view across Loch Ard Forest to Ben Lomond.

This is the ideal base from which to explore the forest environment. Waymarked paths starting from here range from half a mile to a four mile trek.

The views from the Lodge are spectacular, taking in the Campsie Hills, Ben Lomond and across Loch Ard Forest.

The visitor centre is also the location of the Go Ape! high wire adventure course.

Our play park is very popular, and gives parents time to take advantage of the Bluebell Cafe. For that special souvenir, pop into the forest shop where you can purchase locally made crafts, as well as good quality souvenirs and gifts.

The wildlife viewing station offers live pictures of Ospreys during the period they are resident in this country. Ranger led events occur throughout the season. For more information, Tel. 01877 382258

How to get there:

David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre is in Achray Forest which is part of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Aberfoyle is the nearest town or village.

From Glasgow follow the A81 north to Aberfoyle.

From Stirling follow the A84(T), A873 then A81 west to Aberfoyle.

From Callander follow the A81 south to Aberfoyle, or for a more scenic route the A821 via the Trossachs.

The Visitor Centre is a mile north of Aberfoyle on the A821 (Dukes Pass).

OS Grid Reference: NN520014
For details of public transport visit http://www.travelinescotland.com

Postcode FK8 3SX (for satnav purposes)

Other places to go in Achray Forest

What's on in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

February

  • Go Ape! at Aberfoyle & speed down the UK's longest zip wire.
    Saturday 13 February 2010 to Monday 15 February 2010
    Wednesday 17 February 2010 to Sunday 21 February 2010
    Saturday 27 February 2010 to Sunday 28 February 2010
    Saturday 6 March 2010 to Sunday 7 March 2010
    Saturday 13 March 2010 to Sunday 14 March 2010
    Saturday 20 March 2010 to Sunday 21 March 2010
    Friday 26 March 2010 to Wednesday 31 March 2010

March

  • Go Ape! at Aberfoyle & speed down the UK's longest zip wire.
    Saturday 13 February 2010 to Monday 15 February 2010
    Wednesday 17 February 2010 to Sunday 21 February 2010
    Saturday 27 February 2010 to Sunday 28 February 2010
    Saturday 6 March 2010 to Sunday 7 March 2010
    Saturday 13 March 2010 to Sunday 14 March 2010
    Saturday 20 March 2010 to Sunday 21 March 2010
    Friday 26 March 2010 to Wednesday 31 March 2010

April

View all events
David Marshall Lodge visitor centre

Facilities:

ToiletsParking ChargeInformationEasy AccessVisitor CentreRefreshmentsForest ShopOther Facilities
Visitor Centre

Visitor Centre Opening times - 2010
January - Closed.
February - Open Thursday to Sunday only starting 11th Feb, 10am - 4pm
apart from February school holidays Open Daily 11th - 21st, 10am - 4pm
February 25th onwards, Open Daily 10am - 4pm
Refreshments

Lunches, snacks and homebaking are available at the Bluebell Cafe.
Closed -January.
February - Open Thursday to Sunday only, 10am - 4pm until February 13th then, Open daily 10am-4pm.
Other Facilities

Please note there is a parking charge of £2 per car per day. Thank you.Your generosity is helping make the David Marshall Lodge better for your future visits.

Activities

PicnicView Point
Walking Several waymarked routes start and finish at the Lodge.
Lime Craig
Larch Loop
Oak Coppice Trail
Highland Boundary Fault Trail
Craigmore Woodland Walk
Achray
Menteith
Waterfall Trail
Cycling There is a link from the Lodge to the National Cycle Network route 7.
Educational Ranger Guided Walks - booking essential.
Fishing Permits for local area are available from the shop.
Wildlife Activities Live pictures of Osprey, Blue Tit to be shown in the wildlife room. Click on Aberfoyle Ospreys on related pages to the right.
Orienteering Permanent orienteering course open.
Play Area New play area has now opened.
Other Activities The centre is the location of the Go Ape high wire adventure course.

Contact:

Recreation Team
Cowal & Trossachs
01877 382383
e-mail: cowal&trossachs@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

User Comments

Name: Sean Patrick Reid (5) (5 Stars)
12/Aug/2009
I had great fun at the park. I loved the waterfall.
Name: Anonymous
4/Aug/2009
Haven't been yet, the Post Code would be helpful for getting there via multimap.
Forestry Commission Response:
Apologies for the delay in responding. The postcode for David Marshall Lodge is FK8 3SX.
Name: Anonymous (5 Stars)
15/May/2009
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Plaques showing three star visitor attraction status as awarded by VisitScotland and Green Tourism Business Award silver status

What's of interest

Events guide

cover of the Cowal & Trossachs events guide, Spring 2009
Download the full 2009 Queen Elizabeth & Argyll Forest Parks events guide (PDF 1.7Mb).

The Go Ape High Wire Adventure course is here!

Climb rope ladders up into the treetops and experience the thrills of trekking from tree to tree, some 40 feet above the forest floor! See the Go Ape at Aberfoyle page for more details.


Related pages

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