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Welcome

The Dubh-lochain trail is one mile long and starts near the reserve visitor centre at Forsinard.

A flagstone path makes walking over the bog easier, although you need to take care as the surface can be uneven and wet at times, as well as icy in the winter.
 
The boardwalk gives easy access to the pools and takes you to the Flows Lookout Tower, from where you can enjoy the landscape views. Look out for basking lizards on the wooden surface!
 
Both paths allow you to experience the bog in miniature with a variety of peatland plants such as sundews, the magnificent bogbean, bog asphodel, cotton grass and heather on show in summer. 

Forsinard lookout tower and pool system

Level access

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Visitor Centre ToiletAdditional car parking area

There is level access from the car park to:

Visitor Centre Picnic Area

Hearing

We have a hearing loop in Visitor Centre Audio Visual and Refreshment Room.

Visual

We have information in braille.

Getting here

For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.
Flows Field Centre
Forsinard
KW13 6YT

Travel by public transport

You can get to RSPB Scotland Forsinard Flows Viewing Tower & Nature Trail by train.
The nearest train station is Forsinard. The train station is 0 miles / 0.0 km from RSPB Scotland Forsinard Flows Viewing Tower & Nature Trail.

Our visitor centre is in the former station building at Forsinard on the Wick-Inverness railway line, so simply get off the train at Forsinard. It isn't a request stop and there are regular trains. You can check the times at scotrail.co.uk.

Entrances to the viewing tower and nature trail are to the South of the railway level crossing.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Grove Taxis by calling 07796133789.

Grove Taxis' local driver undertakes contracted runs during school term times so unavailable between 07:00-09:00hours and 15:00-17:00hours. Best to book in advance of your requirement.

Although the taxi is not wheelchair accessible it does have room to store a wheelchair and they have a step to make accessing the taxi minibus easier.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. Parking is free.
Car parking area to rear of visitor centre less than 50 meters from the main entrance. There is a second car parking area across the A897 road from the visitor centre.

There are 2 designated accessibility parking spaces in the car park beside the visitor centre. We also have an additional larger car park but it does not have designated accessibility parking and has a covering of mixed aggregate stone.

To get to the start of the boardwalk taking you out to the viewing tower, from the car parks you go south along the main A897 single track road (no pavements), cross a railway level crossing and the boardwalk entrance is off the tarmac road, over a small grassy verge onto the boardwalk. Slightly uneven surfaces.

2 accessibility parking spaces outside Visitor Centre Large car park

Arrival

Path to main entrance

The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has 0 steps.

Boardwalk entrance is off the tarmac road, over a small grassy verge onto the boardwalk. Slightly uneven surfaces.

A897 Public road access to boardwalk

Getting around inside

Public toilet

Visitor Centre Toilet

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The toilet door is 810mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.
There is 900mm at the side of the toilet. There is 800mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 420mm high. The toilets have handrails.

Pricing is based on RSPB Member or Non-member rather than concessions. Access to nature trail and viewing tower is free.

Visitor Centre toilet - access only during Visitor Centre opening times. Only one toilet in building. Fixed handrails on one side and a drop down handrail on the other. Sink height 810mm.

Includes a baby/young child changing facility within toilet room.

Visitor Centre all access toilet Visitor Centre all access toilet close up view Visitor Centre main door open to show access

Getting around outside

Designated Walking Trail

Viewing Tower Boardwalk

The trail is 1500metres long. The trail has a hard surface. Access onto the boardwalk is from tarmac road, over a small grassy verge onto the boardwalk. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

The boardwalk is 1200mm wide, gently undulating, has no edging or handrail and currently has one bench approximately half way along the walk to the viewing tower with plans to install a second bench.

The viewing tower has two levels. The ground level has flat entry and the first floor level is via a staircase with no lift.

Viewing tower access boardwalk example Access ramp to tower (lower level only)

Designated Walking Trail

Dubh-lochain Trail

The trail is 580metres long. The Dubh-lochain trail is a flagstone path which is narrow, uneven and has various steps along it's length.

A flagstone path makes walking over the bog easier, although you need to take care as the surface can be uneven, wet and icy.

Unfortunately due to the nature of the peatlands it has not been possible to make the Dubh-lochain trail accessible to all abilities at this time. However the boardwalk to the Viewing Tower provides reasonably easy access, enabling a wide range of people to experience the pool system.

Example of Dubh-lochain flagstone trail

Picnic Area

Visitor Centre Picnic Area

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. The path is 1220mm wide, or more.
The entrance is 1220mm wide.
You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Gate access, top closing, height 1410mm

Sloping, gravel path with slightly raised edge, width 1220mm.

2 picnic tables which a wheelchair user could potentially park beside.

Picnic area with access gate Picnic area

Additional car parking area

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access.

Car parking area which you cross the A897 to get to the Visitor Centre. Space for 13 vehicles. No designated accessible spaces in this section and surface is gravel/stone chippings until you reach tarmac at carpark entrance.

Larger car park

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We have a hearing loop in Visitor Centre Audio Visual and Refreshment Room.

Our introduction guide is available in braille.

There are no restricted areas for assistance dogs but dog poo needs to be bagged, lifted and disposed of. Outdoor waste bins are accessible on the railway platform beside the visitor centre.

The Red Cross Centre mentioned above hire out transit and self propelling wheelchairs, advisable to book in advance.

Assistance dogs are allowed in the visitor centre and on the trails. Please keep all dogs on a short lead or under close control at all times.

Hearing loop in refreshment room
You can hire mobility equipment from Red Cross Centre, 9 High Street, Thurso KW14 8AG by calling 01847 895081.

Emergency evacuation procedures

Both the main entrance and emergency exit have permanent ramps in place on the outside of the building. Fire alarm is a loud audible alarm.

Emergency exit door is push bar operated, push bar height 1000mm, door width 810mm.

Main exhibition space showing emergency exit

Customer care support

We have information in braille.

The introduction is available in braille in our Visitor Centre.

Guide info
Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.