Loch Leven NNR - Visiting the reserve

For visitors

Our Loch Leven NNR leaflet is a good introduction to the reserve.

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 information - Health advice for blue-green algae bloom and follow the guidance provided on-site. 

Canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding at Loch Leven

Loch Leven is an internationally important site for water birds throughout the year, those wishing to canoe, kayak or paddleboard 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.

There is no access at any time for either motorised or sail craft.

• 1^st April to 31^st August – Only launch from Burleigh Sands or Kirkgate Beach, and stay 200m away from the shoreline and islands to avoid disturbing bird sensitive areas (see map on Water Access Guidance). You are welcome to use canoes, kayaks, rowing boats or similar craft in these areas.
• 1^st September to 31^st March – We ask that no canoes, kayaks, rowing boats and similar craft are used on the loch because of huge numbers of birds present across the loch that are easily disturbed.  

To protect against accidentally introducing invasive species onto the reserve all kayakers and anglers should ensure their equipment has been prepared following the simple Check, Clean, Dry advice provided on the GB Non - Native Species Secretariat website. You can find out more about invasive non-native species on the Scottish Canoe Association website.

Trails for all

You can access most of Loch Leven on the Heritage Trail – a 21-kilometre circuit around the loch. It is traffic-free and you can walk, run, bike or ride along the whole length. The Heritage Trail is suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities. It is also suitable for cyclists, wheelchair users and motorised scooter users.

If you would prefer a shorter walk, just explore part of the trail on one of these walks.

If you would like to take a canoe or kayak onto the loch, please read our water based access guidance before visiting.

Organisers of events proposing sponsored walks, runs and similar events wishing to use the trail should consult our event guidance.

Loch Leven NNR Tufty Brass Rubbing Trail Leaflet - join 'Tufty the Tufted Duck' around the trail at Loch Leven National Nature Reserve! There are 10 Brass Rubbing Posts of Tufty and friends that circumnavigate the 13 mile circular Loch Leven Heritage Trail. Print off the leaflet below, take some paper and some crayons and see if you can find Tufty and friends on your adventure!

Toilets

There are toilets at Kirkgate Park and the Boathouse Pier (seasonal) in Kinross. There are also toilets at the RSPB visitor centre on the south side of the loch.

Wildlife hides

There are three hides around the reserve. All are wheelchair accessible and can be accessed from the Heritage Trail. There is a hide at Burleigh Sands, one at Levenmouth, and a third just south of the Boathouse car park.

The RSPB has hides on the wetlands it manages at the south end of the loch. 

Visitor centre 

The RSPB has a visitor centre on the south side of Loch Leven. It has good views of the loch, viewing hides and woodland trails. There are also facilities here including toilets, a shop and café.

Stay The Night - motorhomes and campervans

Motorhomes and campervans that are self-contained and have their own internal toilet facilities can stay overnight at Burleigh Sands car park. This is a nature reserve, please respect the wildlife, other visitors and our neighbours. 

There is currently no charge for using our sites overnight but we suggest a donation of £10 per vehicle towards the upkeep of our reserves. You can donate online at My Park Scotland. 

Please visit our NNR FAQ page for further Stay The Night information, best practice and our terms and conditions of use.

 To help plan your stay, please see the details below:

• Height barrier or restriction – No
• No vehicles over 6m in length. 
• Motorhome capacity – 4
• Suitable for large vehicles/caravans – No
• Access notes – overnight stays are only available at Burleigh car park, not the car parks at Kinross Pier, Findatie or Kirkgate Park. 
• Parking notes – car park is level and a hard compact surface. Please use bays and leave a 4m gap from other motorhomes. Bays are from trees and restricted in length so not suitable for longer vehicles. 
• Litter – please take all rubbish home. 
• Campervan waste - there are no chemical / black or grey waste disposal facilities on site. 
• Electricity/water are not available.
• Please bear in mind that this is a working NNR and staff occasionally may be carrying out tasks at anti-social hours.

Seasonal highlights

A visit to Loch Leven is worthwhile at any time of year. Summer is best for breeding ducks, and autumn and winter for wildfowl.

Spring

The sweet vanilla scent of the holy grass is an early sign of spring. It was once used to sweeten church doorways.

Spring marks a changeover on the loch, as native birds begin breeding, summer visitors start to arrive and winter guests prepare to leave. Look out for goldeneye and great crested grebes displaying.

Summer

Summer brings lots of new life, with tufted ducklings dabbling in the loch margins. The wetlands are in flower. Dragonflies and damselflies dart around pools at the edge of the loch. Palmate newts have been found on the reserve, and an explosion of non-biting chironomid midges provide food for brown trout.

Autumn

Thousands of moulting birds gather in the safe haven of Loch Leven. They are mainly swans and ducks, which lose their ability to fly. In October, around 10% of the world population of pink-footed geese arrive at Loch Leven. Come early in the morning or late in the evening to see them heading off to feed or returning to roost.

Winter

Winter is a time for crisp walks, with scenic views over a winter wonderland. The wetlands are still teeming with tufted ducks, teal, greylag and pink-footed geese, and much, much more!       

Getting here

Loch Leven lies between Edinburgh (50 kilometres) and Perth (32 kilometres). The nearest town is Kinross (just off the M90). You can access the reserve from several places.

By car

Kinross. There is parking available at the Boathouse Pier and Kirkgate Park in Kinross.

KY13 8UF is the nearest postcode for the Boathouse Pier. Grid reference: NO 122017.

KY13 8ET is the nearest postcode for Kirkgate Park. Grid reference: NO 128017.

Burleigh. There is parking at Burleigh Sands, on the north shore of Loch Leven (close to the A911).

KY13 9EZ is the nearest postcode. This is centred on a farm north-east of the car park. Grid reference: NO 133040.

Findatie. There is parking at Findatie on the B9097, near the mouth of the River Leven.

KY13 9LY is the nearest postcode. Grid reference: NT 170992.

RSPB Loch Leven

The reserve can also be accessed at the RSPB’s visitor centre. This is 3 kilometres east of junction 5 on the M90. On leaving the M90, turn left then and right onto the B9097. Follow this for 3 kilometres to the RSPB centre.

KY13 9LX is the nearest postcode. Grid reference: NT 159990.

By public transport

The nearest bus stops are in Kinross and Ballingry.

Map

Find out more on

• Visiting the reserve leaflet 
• About the reserve 
• Getting involved 
• Visit more of our nature reserves

Related Links

• Designation and management of Scotland’s National Nature Reserves
• Learn more about other protected areas