RSPB Scotland Loch Leven
RSPB Scotland Loch Leven
RSPB Scotland Loch Leven
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Set on the southern shore of the loch, RSPB Scotland Loch Leven nature reserve offers a great day out for families, nature lovers and wildlife watchers alike. Formerly known as Vane Farm, the RSPB bought the reserve in 1967 as a centre for environmental education and it is still a fantastic place for children to explore and discover nature today. Visitors can climb the trail through the woodland to the top of Vane Hill for a spectacular view over the Kinross-shire hills and countryside, or meander down to the wetland trail where three hides allow people to get really close to nature. In the summer, ospreys fish on the loch, and in the winter, thousands of pink-footed geese, swans and ducks make the reserve their home.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
200 reviews
Excellent
122
Very good
60
Average
9
Poor
5
Terrible
4
Norman I
Dunfermline, UK13 contributions
Jan 2023
Met a friend here for lunch and had a lovely bowl of homemade tomato soup, crusty bread, a bacon roll and a coffee. My only complaint would be that I found the £3 parking charge a bit excessive for a cafe visit. As we had 2 cars it added £6 onto the cost of our lunch and for that reason alone I would not return for lunch. Whilst I appreciate that there is 1/2 hour free parking to visit gift shop that does not give enough time to visit the cafe.
Written January 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ajkedar
Glasgow, UK450 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
First visit since the centre was refurbished last year but have often visited and really impressed! The staff are so friendly and lovely new toilet block. The shop and cafe are nice and freshly decorated. We had delicious homemade soup and tasty toastie served by the lovely ladies. Lovely homemade baking too! Window seat with super views over the reserve and the loch. We walked the super and level 13 mile heritage trail round Loch Leven beforehand and the small parking fee worth it as such a good cause. We will return.
Written May 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your lovely review and for your support. By using our car park and café, you're helping us towards our conservation goals. We're glad to hear you enjoyed your time on our site and found our facilities to your satisfaction.
We hope to welcome you back again in the near future!
Written May 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jerrika S
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We had a wonderful visit here. I’m disabled and was SO pleasantly surprised by how accessible the facilities were. Not only did the disabled loo have a hoist there were proper ramps everywhere and lots of disabled parking spots.
Something else wonderful was the inclusivity of the Loos. The sign outside noted there were individual cubicals for All genders. A really really wonderful thing to see.
Something else wonderful was the inclusivity of the Loos. The sign outside noted there were individual cubicals for All genders. A really really wonderful thing to see.
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi there, thank you for your kind review. We're so glad you found our facilities were accommodating for your needs and you had a wonderful day with us. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Written September 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
allymacintyre
Rosyth, UK92 contributions
May 2021
This establishment has started charging £3 per entry for cars. Until this policy is reversed I would urge people not to visit this site. You can park free at Portmoak/Scotlandwell and climb the Bishop Hill and get exactly the same views and experience
Written November 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi Ally, the car park charge has be introduced this month since removing the entry fee to visit our wetland trail and hides. It is free to park for RSPB members, blue badge holders and for 30 mins if you just want to visit the shop or café. The £3 charge provides entry to the reserve and use of all visitor facilities including the car park, trails, hides, visitor centre and toilets. As a charity the additional income we generate from the parking charge will allow us to maintain and build upon our new, improved and accessible facilities whilst continuing to carry out the vital conservation work that makes Loch Leven such a special home for nature. We think for most people charging in this way will be more cost effective. As an example, a group of four non-member adults arriving in the same car would make a saving of £17 compared to our previous charging structure. As you have rightly said, for those wanting to go for a walk and not use our facilities there are many options of free parking around the loch but we hope that people using our facilities will appreciate there is a cost to maintaining them and the introduction of a car parking charge will go towards this.
Written November 24, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PeterC
Leeds83 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
This site is a lovely place to stop off for a walk, with both shorter and longer options. Lots of bird hides, including three large indoor ones with ample room to relax and enjoy watching the birds. The café was very good as well, very friendly staff and lots of vegan options for the vegans in our family! We were also able to charge our car at one of the many electric charging points in the car park. Definitely worth a visit!
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi Pete, thank you for your amazing review. We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit and were able to take full advantage of our facilities. Here's hoping we can welcome you back again soon!
Written September 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jonathan K
Chester, UK139 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We visited for a night in our motorhome. The car park is on a slight slope (so we used our wheel ramps) and it is adjacent to a main road (that obviously quietens as it gets later). It's only £5 for a night's stay (2200 - 1000) which is fabulous value. There are immaculate toilets that are available all night and even an array of recharging facilities for electric vehicles. The location is wonderful - very close to the Loch and with an easy, level, 4 mile cycle ride or walk into Kinross. We were the only van there all night and it was lovely - we had a BBQ and bottle of wine on a sunny evening overlooking the loch. When open during the day, there is a cafe and gift shop plus plenty of children's activities. Just a lovely place to spend an evening and following day.
Written August 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi Jonathan, we're so glad to hear you enjoyed your time on our site. Thank you for your 5 star review. Hoping we can welcome you back again soon!
Written September 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
214jam99
Chester, UK206 contributions
Aug 2020
We walk the woodland path each year to the top of the hill the views are priceless and it costs nothing to walk up there. The cafe was close due to Covid 19 but we usually have a drink and cake inthere after our walk. There are toilets which are still,open and are always clean. There are picnic benches so you can take your own picnic. There are different trails you can do we chose the most difficult but there is something for everyone as you can access the Loch Leven path walk from here also. There is parking and when the shop is open there are activities for the children to do and binoculars to look out for rare birds. We return here each year as it holds a special place in our hearts ♥️
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gdr52
Derbyshire, UK8 contributions
May 2022
What a treat! We visited yesterday by chance as we were passing and ended up staying for three hours. We walked the woodland trail and the wetlands trail with a cafe stop in between. The staff are both knowledgeable and friendly and clearly care very much about their work. The trails are interesting, and have been designed creatively. The weather was not great but it was still a great day out as we saw quite a few birds. Even if you are not a bird spotter, you still feel you’ve enjoyed the experience. The cafe is fabulous! Well designed building, lovely staff and food that has been prepared with care and thought. We’d recommend it to couples and families alike. Thanks to all the staff.
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your kind review! By visiting our café, you've helped directly fund our vital conservation work for the future of RSPB Loch Leven. We hope to welcome you back again soon.
Written July 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
span27
Aldridge, UK97 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
We love visiting RSPB reserves back home but this was my first Scottish one and what a treat! Nothing like back home. We arrived early after beating the traffic out of Edinburgh city centre and we are glad we did. It was quiet and beautiful, we had a short walk down to the hides overlooking the water (hides currently closed but there are still gaps in the fence to look through.) we saw some osprey in the distance. then we took the steep walk uphill to the viewing point which was stunning, the view swept as far as the eye could see in all directions. On the way back down to the starting point on the end of the woodland trail we saw one of just four resident red squirrels! Very lucky indeed. It’s definitely worth a visit. We chatted to the knowledgeable rspb volunteers about where to head next on our Scottish rspb tour.
Written September 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HMHTT
Saltaire, UK114 contributions
Dec 2021
One of the nicest RSPB reserves we have visited. The weather was awful which couldn't be helped, but we still saw plenty of bird activity. The facilities are modern and clean, and the staff very friendly. Recommend grabbing some lunch there also.
Written January 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi,
Is all of this area pram friendly?
Many Thanks
RSPB Loch Leven
Perth and Kinross, UK
Hi,
Many of our paths are suitable for prams. Until our new underpass is open there are steps if you wish to visit the wetland trail hides but the majority of the woodland side of the reserve can be accessed easily with a pram. There is also a ramp up to our cafe. I hope that helps for now but staff at the reserve will be more than happy to help you with your visit and point out the best spots.
Best wishes,
Lauren
Stevie T
Dunfermline, Scotland, United Kingdom1 contribution
Hi Jim, sorry to bother you.
Im planning on taking a run up to Loch Leven soon and i was wondering are the walks and hides well sign posted, i have visited the cafe to the north of the loch a few times but never realised there was hides.
Best Wishes
Stevie
RSPB Loch Leven
Perth and Kinross, UK
Hi Stevie,
You can find the hides on the opposite side of the road from the café. There is a small underpass tunnel that takes you underneath the road and onto the other side. The trail you are looking for is called the wetland trail and is signposted as such. Please pop into the visitor centre to ask for directions if you are unsure.
leedsedinburgh
edinburgh3 contributions
Can you cycle around ?
tabelmabel
Kinross, UK181 contributions
You can't really cycle round the reserve as such but the loch leven path cuts through the middle of the reserve and it's ideal for cycling round the loch. If you wanted to visit the bird reserve, you could certainly cycle to it, explore the reserve on foot and then continue your way on your bike. I think your first response to your question was from someone who had cycled PAST the reserve, rather than round it!
Pat E
Perth, UK20 contributions
Being disabled would it be worth a visit. I love birds. Thanks
tabelmabel
Kinross, UK181 contributions
It would depend on the nature of your disability. If you are wheelchair bound then you can access the whole building and the cafe with telescopes as there is a ramp up. There is disabled parking (very limited) and disabled toilet. The area round the shop is paved but beyond that it becomes rugged. The bird hides require the ability to manage many steps and are not accessible for wheelchairs. The paths up to viewpoints would not be suitable for any physical qalking disabilities. In fact they are steep and require fair fitness. Best bet would be to call vane farm direct - but there are parts around the main building that ahould be ok.
RSPB Scotland Loch Leven (Kinross) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about RSPB Scotland Loch Leven
- RSPB Scotland Loch Leven is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near RSPB Scotland Loch Leven:
- (4.32 mi) Mansedale House B&B
- (3.26 mi) Kirklands Hotel
- (0.62 mi) Loch Leven Lodges
- (5.98 mi) Balmule House
- (8.69 mi) Pitreavie Guest House
- Restaurants near RSPB Scotland Loch Leven:
- (3.87 mi) Grouse and Claret
- (3.26 mi) The Restaurant at the Kirklands
- (3.18 mi) Balgedie Toll Tavern
- (8.33 mi) Dhoom
- (4.24 mi) Heaven Scent