Loch Leven National Nature Reserve

Kinross Pier - toilets open 9 am - 5 pm. 

RSPB Loch Leven - All trails, hides, toilets and car park open. Visitor Centre, shop and cafe open daily 11am – 3pm - takeaway food only.

Castle Island - Historic Environment Scotland - boat trips will not be running in 2020. 

We ask that when visiting you continue to follow the Scottish Government and NHS guidelines and help protect yourself, your family and your local community:

• Maintain hand hygiene
• Follow physical distancing guidelines

While you are out and about, please take extra care to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Wild camping at Loch Leven NNR

We have seen a big increase in the number of wild campers at Loch Leven.  Please read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code before you go and remember to leave no trace. 

Please note, fishing on the shoreline is not permitted. 

Blue-green algae

Blue-green algae - We have seen great improvements in the water quality at Loch Leven over the past years, but blue-green algae still pose health risks when they form blooms on the water surface in warm summer months. Download our latest poster - Health advice for blue-green algae bloom and follow the guidance provided on-site. 

Canoeing and kayaking at Loch Leven

Loch Leven is an internationally important site for water birds throughout the year, those wishing to canoe or kayak should follow our Water Access Guidance.  This means avoiding the bird sensitive areas which includes The Green Isle at Burleigh. 

Please help us to protect Loch Leven’s rich and special nature by following good practice.

Please note that between September and March we advise against watersports due to the large number of birds on the Loch. For more information please see our Water Access Guidance.

Wildlife and history

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.

Top attractions

• One of the best places in Europe to watch wildfowl.
• Explore 21 kilometres of trails around the loch.
• Keep a look out for hunting osprey.
• In winter watch thousands of geese taking flight at dawn or arriving at dusk.

Find out more about the reserve and its natural history.

Enjoy this video of the pink-footed geese at Loch Leven. 

What’s on?

Visit our Events page to see what upcoming events you can get involved in at this reserve.

Contact

Reserve manager: Neil Mitchell

NatureScot
The Pier
Kinross
KY13 8UF

Telephone: 01738 458609
Email: [email protected]

Find out more

Discover more about why Scotland’s National Nature Reserves were created and the partners who manage them.

Related Links

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?

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