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ARGYLL WILDLIFE

Celebrating Knapdale's wildlife and wild places
Experience beavers living wild in the heart of Argyll
Bringing community-led conservation to life
Explore a landscape where everything is connected
Inspiring the next generation to care for nature

Argyll Wildlife is a community-led charity based in Knapdale, on the west coast of Scotland, and the Argyll Beaver Centre is our home.

WELCOME TO
THE ARGYLL BEAVER CENTRE

Step inside a 400-year-old farmhouse in the heart of Knapdale and discover one of Argyll’s most memorable wildlife experiences.

Argyll Beaver Centre surrounded by woodland in Knapdale
Argyll Beaver Centre surrounded by woodland in Knapdale

We are here to share our passion and knowledge of the local landscape and its many spectacular species, and to help you get the most out of exploring this fascinating part of Argyll.

Alongside a busy schedule of guided beaver walks, we run community events, education sessions and conservation projects. Come and pay us a visit and see what we and the beavers have been getting up to!

VISIT THE
ARGYLL BEAVER CENTRE

Visitors learning about local wildlife inside the Argyll Beaver Centre
Visitors learning about local wildlife inside the Argyll Beaver Centre

Opening Times

WINTER 2026/27

November 1st 2026 to March 22nd 2027
Wednesdays and Thursdays and every third Sunday
10am – 4pm

Free admission

Come and visit our fully sustainable visitor centre set in Scotland’s beautiful temperate rainforest. Learn about Knapdale’s beavers, what makes the habitats here so special, and where to go for the best chances of spotting wildlife.

PLAN YOUR VISIT
Red squirrel peeking around a tree trunk

ABOUT ARGYLL WILDLIFE

We’re a charitable social enterprise working to inspire people of all ages about wildlife and ecology in this special part of Argyll.

Group watching beavers at Barnluasgan Loch in KnapdaleGroup watching wildlife at Barnluasgan Loch in Knapdale

We founded the Argyll Beaver Centre in 2017 to bring people up close to the incredible wildlife and landscapes of Knapdale. Knapdale was the site of the UK’s first official reintroduction of beavers to the wild.

We exist to showcase these extraordinary animals and the benefits they’ve brought to the local ecosystem since they arrived in 2009. Every day we marvel at the interconnectedness of this charismatic keystone species, its freshwater habitat, and all the wildlife that shares it.

MORE ABOUT US

WHAT WE DO

Wildlife Experiences

Here at the Argyll Beaver Centre, we offer guided beaver walks, seashore safaris, bat evenings and bespoke adventures exploring Scotland’s rare Atlantic rainforest, rich birdlife and ancient landscapes.

Completely off-grid and surrounded by lochs, oakwoods and protected habitats, the centre also features a wildlife hide (red squirrels, woodpeckers, pine martens and more), hands-on displays and family-friendly activities — with unforgettable encounters waiting just outside the door.

Dotted line CREAM
Dotted line CREAM
Children examining sea life during a seashore safari

Education

Our team also runs a programme of education sessions and outdoor learning for school and community groups across Argyll.

LEARN MORE

Conservation

Argyll Wildlife ranger working with a mink raft beside a waterway

We carry out practical conservation work to monitor, protect and restore native species, improve habitats and involve the community in improving our local environment.

LEARN MORE

Beavers spotted on 100% of our walks in 2026

BOOK A GUIDED WALK

Curious about Scotland’s first official re-wilded beavers and their Atlantic rainforest home?

Join an expert-led evening walk, book a wildlife watching session in our private woodland hide, or let us arrange a bespoke guided tour to take you off the beaten track.

Most popular is our weekly beaver walk: we’ll take you through some beautiful beaver habitat, share our expert knowledge of the ecology of this rare rainforest habitat, and lead you to a peaceful waterside spot, where you’ll have the best chance of spotting a beaver as they emerge at dusk.

BOOK A BEAVER WALK
SEE ALL WALKS & EXPERIENCES
Pupil identifying tree species during an outdoor education activity at the Argyll Beaver Centre
Pupil identifying tree species during an outdoor education activity at the Argyll Beaver Centre

MAKE A DONATION

Help us nurture the next generation of wildlife enthusiasts through our education programme

DONATE NOW

OUR CHARITABLE STATUS

We are a registered charitable organisation (SC047167), reliant on donations and grant funding to support our environmental education and conservation work. Every donation we receive goes towards keeping the Argyll Beaver Centre free to visit up to 5 days a week, and supports our outreach in schools across Argyll.

FURTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT US

Visitors watching for beavers with binoculars and a telescope in Knapdale

BECOME A MEMBER

If you enjoyed your visit to Argyll Beaver Centre, or wish to support our work with an ongoing contribution, please consider becoming a member of Argyll Wildlife. Membership is £15 a year for individuals or £25 for joint membership, and helps to grow our impact for the benefit of people and wildlife.

BECOME A MEMBER
Volunteer carrying out office work for Argyll Wildlife

VOLUNTEER WITH US

We couldn’t exist without the support of our volunteers, who help with everything from guided walks to practical maintenance jobs. If you’d like to get involved, find out more about volunteering with Argyll Wildlife and how you could help support our work.

VOLUNTEER WITH US

LATEST NEWS

Read about the latest goings-on in and around the visitor centre, catch up with the beaver families, and get updates on our ongoing project work.

MORE NEWS

thank you to our funders