Name: Argaty Red Kites
Rating: 5.0

Argaty Red Kites

Lerrocks Farm Cottages, Argaty, Doune FK16 6EJ, Scotland, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Looking for the best things to do with kids in Doune? Argaty Red Kites offers an incredible family day out centered around magnificent birds of prey and rural wildlife. Set within a working upland livestock farm on the Braes of Doune, this specialist wildlife centre lets visitors experience Central Scotland's only red kite feeding station in a natural setting.

Standard admission prices start from £5.00 for children aged 6 to 16, while adult tickets cost £12.00 and family tickets covering two adults and two children are priced at £29.00. Children under 6 go free, and off-peak visits can also use an honesty box system outside of ranger-led feeding times.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines conservation learning with spectacular bird watching, this destination delivers. Its ranger-led feeding sessions, friendly welcome, and beautiful Perthshire countryside setting make it a fantastic choice for nature-loving families.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Ranger-Led Feeding Sessions: Daily afternoon visits where expert rangers feed the kites and share the history of red kite reintroduction in Scotland.
Main Red Kite Viewing Hide: Purpose-built, comfortable indoor viewing hide seating up to 30 people with great landscape views.
Specialist Photography Hides: Dedicated professional photography hides offering close-up encounters with red kites and red squirrels.
Working Farm Environment: Authentic upland farm setting combining active agriculture with dedicated wildlife conservation work.

Top 5 Highlights

The Main Red Kite Feeding Display: Watch dozens of magnificent red kites swoop, dive, and glide overhead as rangers put out food near the main viewing hide.
The Red Kite Photography Hide: Get closer to the action in a purpose-built hide featuring big viewing hatches and outdoor decks designed specifically for wildlife photographers.
The Woodland Red Squirrel Hide: Experience intimate, close-up views of native red squirrels and woodland birds like the greater spotted woodpecker and nuthatch.
The Upland Farm Trail: Stroll across gentle farm paths and slopes while taking in panoramic views of the Perthshire countryside and rolling hills.
The Conservation History Display: Learn the fascinating story of how red kites were brought back to Scotland through engaging talks given by expert site rangers.

Facilities

Luggage Storage: Not available on-site; visitors should leave larger personal items securely in their cars.
Toilets & Changing Facilities: Standard visitor restroom facilities located on-site near the farm reception area.
Food Options: No commercial café or restaurant on-site, but visitors are welcome to bring snacks or enjoy local eateries in nearby Doune.
Buggy Parking: Gentle slopes and wide pathways make pushchair access to the main hide manageable, though baby carriers are useful for off-path exploring.

Pro-Tips:

Book Your Hide Slot Early: Because visitor numbers in the main hide are limited to 30 and photography hides book out fast, online reservation is recommended.
Arrive Before Feeding Time: Spring and summer tours start promptly at 1:45 PM (winter tours start at 1:15 PM), so arrive early to settle in.
Dress for Rural Weather: Perthshire weather can change quickly, so pack warm layers and waterproof jackets for outdoor walking sections.

Targeted FAQ

Is it worth it for toddlers? Yes, under-6s enter free of charge and toddlers enjoy watching the large birds swoop overhead, though the 1.5-hour ranger talk is best suited for older children.
How long does a visit take? A standard ranger-led afternoon visit lasts approximately 1.5 hours, though visitors are welcome to take their time and stay longer to enjoy the surroundings.
Where is the best place to park? The best place to park is in the dedicated free gravel visitor car park located directly on-site next to the farm buildings at Lerrocks Farm.
How much does entry cost? Standard adult tickets cost £12.00, child tickets are £5.00, and family tickets covering two adults and two children are priced at £29.00.

What to see

Beyond the Main Attraction:

Doune Castle: Historic medieval fortress famous for film and television appearances, located just a short drive away.
Safari and Wildlife Parks: Nearby Blair Drummond Safari Park offers family-friendly animal adventures within Stirlingshire.
Trossachs National Park: Breathtaking scenic landscape offering loch cruises, forest drives, and rugged family walking trails.

What Visitors Love:

Parents consistently praise the awe-inspiring sight of dozens of red kites wheeling overhead during the ranger-led feeding sessions.
The knowledgeable and friendly staff receive high marks for keeping children engaged with exciting stories about bird conservation.
The comfortable indoor hide allows families to watch wildlife in a warm, sheltered space regardless of weather conditions.
The peaceful working farm atmosphere offers a genuine, uncommercialized nature experience.

What Visitors Don't Like:

Feeding times are fixed to afternoon slots, meaning visitors must plan their day carefully around the schedule.
There is no on-site restaurant or cafe, requiring families to bring their own refreshments or eat before arriving.
The rural farm location requires driving along narrow winding country roads which demands careful navigation.

Attractions & Activities

Main Red Kite Viewing Hide: Indoor seated shelter accommodating up to 30 visitors for daily feeding spectacles.
Red Kite Photography Hide: Exclusive 3-person booking hide positioned 35 metres from the feeding area for optimal photography.
Woodland Squirrel and Bird Hide: Secluded 1 to 6-person exclusive hide featuring floor-level hatches for eye-to-eye wildlife viewing.
Outdoor Photography Deck: Dedicated outdoor shooting platform included for photography hide visitors.
Farm Visitor Car Park: On-site gravel vehicle parking area situated right beside the farm buildings.
Gentle Access Slopes: Paved and graded pathway leading smoothly from the car park up to the main hide.
Informative Ranger Station: Area where staff deliver talks on raptor conservation and local wildlife.
Honesty Box Drop-in Point: Self-service entry station for visitors dropping in outside of scheduled ranger feeding hours.
Working Farmland Paddock: Scenic upland grazing fields surrounding the main wildlife observation zones.
Connecting Countryside Footpaths: Quiet rural tracks linking the farm infrastructure with surrounding Perthshire woodlands.

New for 2026:

Upgraded Wheelchair Access: Enhanced bespoke viewing flaps and prior-notice lift assistance for visitors using mobility aids.
Refreshed Photography Packages: Expanded 2026 booking slots for the popular red squirrel and specialist red kite photography hides.
Streamlined Digital Booking: Updated online reservation system making family ticket scheduling simpler for spring and summer visitors.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Main Red Kite Tour

Adult (17+ years): £12.
Child (6–16 years): £5.
Young Child (0–5 years): FREE.
Family (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 6+): £27.

Lunchtime with the Woodland Wildlife

Adult (17+ years): £10.
Child (6–16 years): £4.
Young Child (0–5 years): FREE.
Family (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 6+): £23.

1-6 Person Woodland Photography Hide

Private Group (maximum 3 people): £104.
Extra Person (up to 3 additional people): £27.

Red Kite Photography Hide: £79 for Private Groups
1 Person Studio Hide: £79 for One Person Studio
The Argaty Beaver Believer Tour: £63 Persons

Pricing URL: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/argatyredkites/items/?flow=803799&full-items=yes&back=https://argatyredkites.co.uk/&g4=yes

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Information: Argaty Red Kites welcomes private group bookings, exclusive hide hires, and educational visits tailored for family celebrations and special interests.
Inquiries: For exclusive use enquiries or private family event bookings, you can contact the team directly via email at argatyredkites1@btinternet.com or call 01786 841373.

open almost every day of the year from 9am–5pm and run a ranger-led visit to the main kite hide at feeding time.

Address: Lerrocks Farm Cottages, Argaty, Doune FK16 6EJ, Scotland, UK

Post Code: FK16 6EJ

Council: Stirling and Falkirk

County: Stirling and Falkirk

By Bus: Local bus links operate near Doune, but travelling by car is essential due to the rural farm location.
By Car: Located at Lerrocks Farm in Argaty, Doune, roughly 11 miles north of Stirling off the A9 and A84 (postcode FK16 6EJ).
Car Parking: Free visitor car parking is available on-site right next to the farm buildings.