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Welcome

Set on the southern shore of the loch, RSPB Scotland Loch Leven nature reserve offers a great day out for families, nature lovers and birdwatchers alike. Bought by the RSPB in 1967 as a centre for environmental education, it is still a fantastic place for children to explore and discover nature today. In the summer, you could see ospreys on the loch, and in the winter, thousands of pink-footed geese, swans and ducks make the reserve their home. Our café serves delicious, local and ethical food all year-round, all with a fantastic view over Loch Leven itself. 

RSPB Scotland Loch Leven

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Welcome area at visitor centre main entranceChanging Places facilityAccessible toiletRSPB Scotland Loch Leven cafeRSPB Scotland Loch Leven shopShopWildlife Garden

There is level access from the car park to:

RSPB Scotland Loch Leven picnic area
The hide entrance has level access.

Hearing

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Glass doors and full-height windows have contrast markings.
The menu is in large print.

General

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors. The toilet is a Changing Places toilet.
Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.
Loch Leven
Kinross
KY13 9LX

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 not 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.

Car parking fee is £3 per car, but parking is free for RSPB members and blue badge holders.

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

An electric mobility scooter can be hired, free of charge, during normal opening times. Please book this in advance by contacting the reserve by telephone or by email.

Path from car park to visitor centre Accessible car parking spaces

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
The path is 4000mm wide, or more.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
The door is 1800mm wide.
The door has a push button to open it.

The visitor centre main door is a double door operated by a push pad. The doors open outwards.

There is a second set of entrance doors into the visitor centre welcome area, on the accessible underpass side of the building. This door is also 1800mm wide and is operated by a push pad.

Visitor centre main entrance doors Visitor centre main entrance with doors open Visitor centre entrance doors - underpass side

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have contrast markings on all glass doors and contrast markings on all full-height windows.

Ticket/ information desk

Welcome area at visitor centre main entrance

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 1800mm wide, or more.
The door is 1800mm 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 1800mm wide.

There is no admission charge, and no requirement to purchase tickets, other than the £3 parking charge for non members in the car park. RSPB members and blue badge holders can park free of charge. 

Welcome area

Public toilet

Changing Places facility

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
The toilet is a Changing Places toilet.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 920mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 920mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left and 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 Changing Places facility has an adjustable hand basin, hoist, adjustable changing table, shower facility, colostomy bag shelf, hand drier, hand towkel dispenser, nappy bin, coat hooks and alarm.

Changing Places toilet Changing Places changing table Changing Places adjustable sink

Public toilet

Accessible toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 850mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 850mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.
There is 630mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1000mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 490mm high. The toilets have handrails.

The accessible toilet has a wall mounted, fold down baby change unit 

Accessible toilet

Shop

RSPB Scotland Loch Leven shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 1800mm wide, or more. The door is 1800mm wide.
The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

The main entrance door to the visitor centre is 1800mm wide and is opened by a puch pad. It leads into the welcome area which leads directly into the shop.

The shop can also be accessed by a door at the accessible underpass side of the visitor centre. This door is 1800mm wide, is opened by a push pad and leads into the welcome area which leads directly into the shop.

Shop interior Shop interior Shop interior

Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

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 shop area inside 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

Café counter Café seating area Café seating area Ramp to café

Getting around outside

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.

Wetland Trail leading to the Gillman hide Gillman hide Gillman hide door Gillman hide interior Gillman hide interior One of the two ponds at the Gillman hide Wetland trail Waterston hide Waterson hide door Waterston hide interior Path to Carden hide Carden hide Carden hide door Carden hide interior View of underpass from top of steps next to visitor centre Path from visitor centre to underpass View from visitor centre over underpass area

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.

Gate to Woodland Walk and Vane Hill

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.

The Leafy Loop

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...

Start of the Sleeping Giant path

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.

Picnic area tables with space for wheelchairs View of Loch Leven from picnic area

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.

Wildlife Garden Wildlife Garden Raised pond in Wildlife Garden Path from the Wildlife Garden to the Leafy Loop, via squirrel and bird feeding area

Customer care support

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 or email lochleven@rspb.org.uk

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.
Guide info
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