
Loch Leven National Nature Reserve

A huge expanse of open water, Loch Leven National Nature Reserve (NNR) provides an ideal home for countless birds. With more freshwater breeding ducks than anywhere else in inland Europe, and links to Mary Queen of Scots, it combines history and nature. From late summer until spring, tens of thousands of wildfowl also use it for short- and long-term stopovers. Marvel at the awe-inspiring sight of huge flocks of wintering wildfowl. In summer, ospreys patrol the loch in search of a fish supper. Watch the quiet persistence of tufted duck and teal dabbling for food. You might smell sweetly scented holy grass – an ancient form of incense – on the marshy edges of the loch.
The Loch Leven brown trout is famed worldwide for its flavour. It has been imported into fishing lochs as far afield as Canada and New Zealand.
Find out more about visiting Loch Leven NNR.
Find out more about the reserve and its natural history.
Enjoy this video of the pink-footed geese at Loch Leven.
Migrating pink-footed geese arriving at Loch Leven National Nature Reserve
Visit our Events page to see what upcoming events you can get involved in at this reserve.
Reserve manager:
NatureScot
The Pier
Kinross
KY13 8UF
Telephone: 01738 458609
Email: [email protected]
Follow us on Facebook or read the Loch Leven blog to keep up to date with news from the reserve.
Follow our Scotland's NNR Facebook page for up-to-date information on reserves across Scotland.
Find out more about our partners at Loch Leven NNR – the RSPB, which manages RSPB Loch Leven, and Historic Environment Scotland, which manages boat trips to Castle Island.
Loch Leven NNR is a member of VisitScotland and the GTBS (Green Tourism Business Scheme).
Enjoyed your visit?
Discover more about why Scotland’s National Nature Reserves were created and the organisations who manage them.