Accessibility Guide for RSPB Scotland Loch Leven

Travel by public transport

The bus stop is 5 miles / 8.1 km from RSPB Scotland Loch Leven.

The nearest train station is Lochgelly. The train station is 5 miles / 8.1 km from RSPB Scotland Loch Leven.

Buses to Kinross, which is six miles from the reserve, are available from Perth, Edinburgh and other nearby towns. From Kinross take a taxi to the reserve.

The nearest railway station is Cowdenbeath, 7 miles from the reserve.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Taxi Central Ltd (Kirkcaldy) by calling 01592 203040. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

You can get a taxi with Cowdenbeath Taxi Service by calling 01383 513 333. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. Parking is free.

The designated accessible parking bays are next to the path which leads to the visitor centre. This path is level with a tarmac surface, and is 60 metres long. From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. The route is 4000mm wide, or more.

A manual wheelchair can be borrowed from the visitor centre during normal opening times.

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

The main door is side hung and manual.

Ticket/ information desk

Welcome area at visitor centre main entrance

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 760mm wide, or more.

The door is 760mm wide, or more.

The welcome area is directly inside the main door to the visitor centre. This an open area with no desk, where staff give information and assistance to visitors. The main entrance door is 760mm wide with one side open and 1500mm with both sides open.

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

Public toilet

Accessible toilet at RSPB Scotland Loch Leven

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 4000mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 900mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.

There is 1000mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1400mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 490mm high. The toilets have handrails.

The accessible toilet also has a wall mounted baby change unit.

Shop

RSPB Scotland Loch Leven shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 1300mm wide, or more. The door is 1300mm wide.

The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

The shop can also be accessed by a door at the east side of the visitor centre. This door is 1030mm wide and leads directly into the shop.

Place to eat and drink

RSPB Scotland Loch Leven cafe

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1150mm wide, or more. The door is 930mm wide.

To get to a table, there are no steps.

The menu is offered in large print.

The dining area is self-service. If you need table service, staff can help you.

The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.

There is no background music.

We cater for vegetarian and vegan specific diets.

The cafe is situated on the first floor of the visitor centre and can be accessed by an external ramp and automatic door leading directly into the cafe.

The cafe can also be accessed by a flight of stairs (800mm wide, 14 steps) from the welcome area inside the main entrance of the visitor centre. The stairs have a handrail on the left as you ascend. At the top of the stairs is a short landing and the door to the cafe here is 760mm wide.

Gluten, lactose and nut free dishes are made on site but in a kitchen which uses gluten, lactose and nut ingredients

Designated Walking Trail

Wetland Trail

The trail is 800metres long. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats. There are bird hides along the trail.

The Wetland Trail is reached from the visitor centre by a fully accessible sloping tarmac path and underpass which takes visitors under a road.

There are two ponds at the Gillman hides where visitors can pond dip, and which are used for visiting school groups.

Designated Walking Trail

Woodland Trail

The trail is 1600metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. Steep slopes, many steps and gates at either end. It is not suitable for people with mobility difficulties and sturdy footwear is recommended. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

This spectacular trail leads walkers through birch tree woods to a lofty viewpoint at the top of Vane Hill. This is a place to enjoy birdsong and wonderful view over the loch.

Designated Walking Trail

Leafy Loop

The trail is 450metres long. The trail has a hard surface. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

This short accessible trail is perfect for a breath of fresh air. It is wheelchair friendly and is great for exploring the changing seasons.

Designated Walking Trail

Loch Leven Heritage trail

The trail is 21000metres long. The trail has a hard surface. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats. There are bird hides along the trail.

This 21km trail skirts the picturesque shores of Loch Leven. Whether you are exploring by foot, mobility scooter or bicycle this car-free trail takes you to some of the most attractive parts of the loch. 

The Heritage Trail is reached by a fully accessible sloped tarmac path and underpass which takes visitors under a road. The Heritage Trail can also be accessed at other points around Loch Leven

Designated Walking Trail

Sleeping Giant path

The trail is 7000metres long. The trail has a hard surface. This invigorating hill walk has some very steep inclines and takes in stunning views of Loch Leven before continuing over Benarty Hill. It is not suitable for people with mobility difficulties and sturdy footwear is recommended. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

For more information about the Sleeping Giant path please visit this website:

http://www.livinglomonds.org.uk/trailheads-walks/rspb-scotland-loch-leve...

Designated Walking Trail

Wildflower Meadow trail

The trail is 200metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. Uneven grass surface

This is a winding, uneven path which is cut through long grass and wildflowers in the wildflower meadow each summer. This path is perfect for a relaxing amble and spotting bees and butterflies. 

The Wildflower Meadow Trail is accessed from the Wetland Trail, which is reached by a fully accessible sloped tarmac path and underpass.

Gillman hide

At the hide entrance, there is level access. The door is 950.00mm wide.

There are low windows in the hide, so wheelchair users can see outside.

Waterston hide

At the hide entrance, there is level access. The door is 900.00mm wide.

There are low windows in the hide, so wheelchair users can see outside.

Carden hide

At the hide entrance, there is level access. The door is 840.00mm wide.

There are low windows in the hide, so wheelchair users can see outside.

Picnic Area

RSPB Scotland Loch Leven picnic area

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The path is 1500mm wide, or more.

The entrance is 1500mm wide.

Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

The picnic area is set on the lower slope of Vane Hill and has beautiful views over the loch, and red squirrels can sometimes be seen here. There is an accessible path to the picnic area and two of the tables have space for wheelchairs. A natural play area at the top of the picnic area provides a great space for children to let off steam!

More picnic tables are available around the visitor centre, three of which have space for wheelchairs.

Wildlife Garden

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1500mm wide, or more. The entrance is 1500mm wide.

This area is next to the visitor centre and has 70m of gently sloping hardcore surfaced path. It is a lovely space for an easy stroll or to sit and relax, watching birds on the feeders. There is a raised pond here which allow easy access for pond dipping for all visitors.

From the Wildlife Garden visitors can pass through the gate to the Secret Garden and follow the path up steps through the squirrel and bird feeding area, and from there reach the Leafy Loop.

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

A mobility scooter can be hired free of charge from RSPB Scotland Loch Leven, during visitor centre opening hours. To book the scooter please contact the reserve in advance on 01577 862355.

There is no specific toilet area for assistance dogs, but visitors with assistance dogs are welcome to take them to the Wildlife Garden or picnic area. We request that dogs are kept on leads at all times and that owners pick up after their four legged companions.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.