In December 1973, RSPB Scotland acquired a wetland site just outside the Renfrewshire village of Lochwinnoch. Now, 50 years later, it has become one of our flagship nature reserves, having welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors over the years.
The site has a storied history and was historically used for agriculture and mining. Since the mid-20th century however, changing land use led to the creation of lochs and wetlands hosting large numbers of birds and other wildlife. It is now home to some of Scotland’s rarest and most spectacular species, including Great-crested Grebes and Migrant Hawker dragonflies in the summer, Whooper Swans in winter and Otters all year round.
Clockwise from top left: Migrant Hawkers (David Chandler), Great-crested Grebes (Ben Andrew), Otter (Ben Andrew), Whooper Swans (Ben Andrew)
But Lochwinnoch isn't just a special place for wildlife. Over the last 50 years it has been transformed into a wonderful place for visitors to come and explore and get closer to nature. From school trips to family days out, expert birders to people taking their first tentative steps into the world of conservation, the nature reserve has provided a natural escape for visitors from all walks of life.
Today, there is a network of accessible paths which allow visitors to explore the Aird Meadow and Barr Lochs, along with hides and viewing platforms that offer breathtaking views over the wetlands. Carefully placed bird feeders allow for unparalleled views of Robins, Goldfinches and other species, while the picnic area means you can tuck into your lunch after watching the birds enjoy theirs. And no visit is complete without dropping into the visitor centre. Whether you're looking for an activity pack for the kids, a special gift from our shop or just a friendly chat with one of our team, it's the best place to start and finish your journey around the nature reserve.
The visitor centre may look very different nowadays....
...but it's still a magnificent spot for birdwatching.
Despite everything we've achieved at Lochwinnoch, we're definitely not resting on our laurels. In the last few years, we've created a new wetland scrape which has led to Little Ringed Plovers breeding in 2022 and 2023, new pools and channels in the fen which have encouraged the return of breeding Common Sandpipers after a ten-year absence, and a boardwalk which straddles the embankment between the Aird Meadow and Castle Semple Lochs. As well as allowing visitors to discover a previously unreachable section of the nature reserve, the boardwalk also gives a flavour of the area's cultural history, as it winds to the remains of the 17th century Peel Tower.
The new boardwalk takes visitors right into the natural and cultural heart of the nature reserve (Sam Turley)
From everyone here at RSPB Scotland, we'd like to thank everyone who has supported Lochwinnoch over the years. Whether you've been an RSPB member, a visitor or part of the reserve team, it's thanks to you that we've been able to maintain this special place for people and nature.
Visit our website to find out more about Lochwinnoch, and keep an eye on our events page as we'll be holding various celebrations in the coming months.
Header image shows a past and present view of Lochwinnoch's visitor centre from outside.