Success StoriesOsprey Centre, Boat of Garten, Strathspey |
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"When ospreys returned to Scotland in the 1950s no-one knew the story that would unfold. There is now a splendid new visitor centre for people to find out more about ospreys and other wildlife of the area."
Richard Thaxton, RSPB Warden
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| The return of the osprey to Scotland has been a major conservation success story for the RSPB who operate the Osprey Centre. Such was the interest in the remarkable return of the ospreys that in 1959 a viewpoint was established to enable a curious public to see these fascinating fish-eating birds of prey at close quarters. In that first year 14,000 visitors saw the Loch Garten ospreys and interest subsequently soared. Close to two million people have now been to Loch Garten to see successive pairs of ospreys and their young at the nest. |
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A visit to the new Osprey Centre brings people close to these spectacular birds. A CCTV camera relays ‘live’ pictures to the Centre, giving great views of osprey family life. It is often such close encounters with wildlife that spark off a life-long interest in and care for birds and their environment.
For example, over the years, many birdwatchers have enjoyed watching capercaillies displaying, or lekking, at special courtship ‘arenas’. However, with the population dwindling, it has become increasingly difficult for people to watch these birds without disturbing them during this critical courtship period. |
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In a bid to help highlight the difficulties faced by capercaillies, the RSPB ran a pilot capercaillie viewing project at the Centre. A special camera broadcast live pictures of lekking ‘capers’ to the Centre during April and May. The project was jointly operated by RSPB Scotland and Speyside Wildlife – a local wildlife tour company. Both organisations highlight the need to avoid disturbing these wonderful birds.
Since 1959 the Osprey Centre has seen a variety of changes, but always a temporary structure with minimal facilities. These were worn out and out of date. To coincide with the 40th year of operations, the RSPB has redeveloped the original site, building a much improved Centre in keeping with the native pinewood surroundings. |
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The RSPB hopes to encourage visitors to get to the Centre by less damaging transport than cars. Upgrading of forest trails and the provision of cycle racks aim to encourage people to visit from nearby villages on foot or by bike.
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| The new Centre is of an innovative design and provides opportunities for visitors to watch ospreys and learn about their conservation. It is constructed almost entirely from native Scots Pine timber, much of it from sustainably –managed woods of the Abernethy Forest Reserve. Even the roof is partly made of Scots pine cut into shingle roof titles. Trees from areas of existing conservation woodland management, carefully selected for maximum timber output, were felled and extracted by horse to minimise damage to vegetation. |
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The Centre has very high environmental credentials. It is powered by a clean, and therefore ‘greener’, gas generator. A composting toilet system, demonstrates green initiatives: it does not require water and safeguards the surrounding sensitive habitats by a total containment system with no run-off or seepage. Washing is by biodegradable handwipes.
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The Osprey Centre is an example of sustainable wildlife tourism of major importance to the local rural economy of Strathspey. It provides employment for Centre staff and indirect benefits through money spent locally by visitors to the tune of about £1.7 million put into the local economy, supporting the equivalent of 70 full-time jobs.
The Osprey Centre is open 10am to 6pm, from late April to the end of August. Further information please contact: Richard Thaxton Tel: 01479 831476 Photos courtesy of RSPB Images This case study was updated 03 April 2001 Back to Success Stories |
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Sustainable Tourism Manager,
VisitScotland,
Cowan House,
Inverness.
IV2 7GF.
Tel: 01463 244671
enquiries@greentourism.org.uk