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David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre


(Average user rating5 unrated 4.1/5)

About David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre

Find out about our plans to give David Marshall Lodge and surrounding area a well deserved upgrade.

See the Signs Plans for the "Mini Lodge"

Nature Play at David Marshall Lodge

The final plans will be displayed during February 2013 at David Marshall Lodge and the work completed by April 2013.

More information can be found on our Nature Play page

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.

Take time to enjoy a meal or a cake in the Cafe and for that special souvenir, pop into the forest shop where you can purchase locally made crafts, as well as good quality souvenirs and gifts.

Wildlife Watch offers Live CCTV images beamed from different locations within the forest. You may be lucky enough to see Buzzards, Red Squirrels, Peregrines and even Ospreys (see Aberfoyle Ospreys link on the right for more information).

Please note the following car park charges at David Marshall Lodge

  • Any vehicle for 1hr - £1.00
  • Car all day - £3.00
  • Minibus/coach all day - £12.00

How to get there:

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

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David Marshall Lodge visitor centre

Facilities:

ToiletsParking ChargeInformationEasy AccessVisitor CentreRefreshmentsForest ShopOther Facilities
Visitor Centre

Visitor Centre Opening/Closing Times 2013
Apr, May, Jun - Daily 10am - 5pm
Jul - Aug - Daily 10am - 6pm
Sep - Oct - Daily 10am - 5pm
Nov - Thursday - Monday 10am – 4pm
Dec - Daily 10am - 4pm
Please note the Visitor Centre Mini Lodge is open in 2013 with all the usual facilities available, cafe, information, Go Ape and wildlife viewing provision . The main building is now closed until July 2013 for refurbishment.
Refreshments

Lunches, snacks and homebaking are available at the Cafe.
Other Facilities

Pay & Display Tariff
Short Stay only (1 hour) £1.00
Daily Rate Cars £3.00
Daily Rate Minibuses/Coaches £12.00
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
Achray
Menteith
Waterfall Trail
Oak Coppice 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.
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

User Comments

5 Stars 5 Stars

we come from leeds 2/3 times a year to see friends the nesting bird/cameras and a great walk what more is there to say .

sheron /tony, 18/Jan/2013
4 Stars 4 Stars

For the past 5 years we have taken the kids for a lovely New Year's Day walk at DML. We drove all the way with an excited family but we (and many other cars) couldn't gain access as the main gate was shut. We couldn't see any 'apparent' reason for this and had to drive on (as there were at least 12 cars parked outside the gate thus causing a jam and forcing us to reverse onto the main road) we also saw many cars forced to park on verges. It is obviously a tradition with many couples/families. Can you please advise if this was a one-off or will it be closed on the 1st January from now on.

Mrs H, 5/Jan/2013

Hi There. Sorry to hear you and others were disappointed you couldn't gain entry. However opening hours were posted on the DML web page stating the lodge and car park would be closed from 24th December to 5th January.

Forestry Commission Response
3 Stars 3 Stars

Beautiful scenery but my 3 children were bitterly disappointed that the play park had closed. Feel like you do a lot for improving access etc but don't take into consideration the children. They bring a lot of income in cafe, shop etc.

Claire b, 30/Aug/2012

Thanks for that. We have opted to introduce more 'natural play' elements at DML which aims to encourage children to play more freely within the natural environment, which will also help them to learn to feel more confortable and at ease with the natural environment.....somethign that is more in line with the original ethos of David Marshall.

Forestry Commission Response
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Three star visitor attraction as awarded by VisitScotland and the Gold Award from the Green Business Tourism Scheme

What's of interest

FC Scotland are on Facebook

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David Marshall Lodge Re-development

A Community Consultation regarding the re-developement, took place on Wednesday 15th February 2012 at Aberfoyle Memorial Hall. Design proposals and information are now on display at David Marshall Lodge. 

DML Community Consultation 15 Feb 2012

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park leaflet


cover of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park guide
Download the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park leaflet (PDF 1.3Mb).

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.
 

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