RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) are joining forces on June 10th for a free, fun-filled day at Loch Leven national nature reserve.
This year, RSPB's Open Day is running in conjunction with Loch Leven Discovery Day to be bigger and better than ever, with free buses running between the two sides of the loch.
This family day has an action-packed programme of free events, from pond-dipping, bushcraft, facepainting, willow-weaving, bird-watching, aquatic displays, beat the black grouse goalie, story-telling, guided walks, and all kinds of kids’ activities. RSPB will also officially launch their newly named, refurbished visitor centre and improved reserve.
Now in their seventh year, Open Day and Discovery Day bring together more than a dozen organisations involved in research and management of Loch Leven NNR, including Fife Amphibian and Reptile Group, Fife and Kinross Bat Group, Perth and Kinross Council, The Rural Access Committee for Kinross-shire (TRACKS), Perth and Kinross and Fife Red Squirrel Groups, Butterfly Conservation and Kinross Museum. The day gives the public a chance to learn more about what goes on the reserve, both from a scientific and a practical viewpoint.
TRACKS will also be hosting the opening ceremony of the National Cycle Route diversion in Kirkgate Park at 2pm. The diversion follows the Heritage Trail from the Mill in Kinross through to Channel Farm at Loch Leven’s Larder.
Caroline Rance, RSPB Loch Leven Visitor Experience & Events Officer, said: “We’re looking forward to opening our doors for the day in celebration of our new look and our new name. It is certainly the biggest event in our calendar this year, and we hope families will be putting it in their calendars to join us on June 10th!”
Craig Nisbet, SNH Loch Leven reserve officer, added: “There will be so much going on at Loch Leven on June 10. There is something for everyone in the family. We hope to see lots of people out to enjoy the nature reserve, as well as lots of great activities and information.”
A free bus service, courtesy of RSPB Loch Leven, will shuttle visitors from the reserve to Kirkgate Park, so visitors will be able to take part in activities on both sides of the loch.
The regular Loch Leven circular bus route will also be running through the day, giving easy access to both events. The bus makes this an ideal time to walk the Loch Leven Heritage Trail – for more details on bus times contact Perth and Kinross Public Transport Unit on 0845 30 111 30. There will also be food and drinks available from the Boathouse Bistro.
Loch Leven is Scotland’s largest lowland loch and one of the most important sites for waterfowl in Britain. It’s a unique environment that attracts not only the largest concentration of breeding ducks found anywhere in the UK, but also many thousands of migratory ducks, geese and swans, as well as summer visitors like ospreys and in recent years, sea eagles.