Nature reserves are areas containing wildlife populations and/or habitats that require certain protections. In Perth and Kinross, there are several nature reserves and designated areas which you can visit.
Visiting a nature reserve or designated area
Listed below are some places you can visit to enjoy seeing wildlife within specially protected areas. Please follow the guidance given in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code to ensure you do not cause disturbance to wildlife or others who are also visiting to enjoy these special places.
National Nature Reserves
- Loch Leven National Nature Reserve This NNR boasts a rich history and diversity of wildlife and habitats, from wet grasslands to reed beds. Loch Leven is home to one of the largest breeding duck populations in Europe, as the great expanse of open water provides enough resources for countless birds. There is always something to see, whether it's the wintering wildfowl or osprey fishing during the summer.
- Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve Found just to the north of Loch Tay, Ben Lawers is famed for its huge diversity in plant life. The rare mix of lime-rich underlying rocks, range of altitudes and climate has resulted in everything from the abundant vegetation of the lower slopes to the small arctic-alpine plants that strain for survival near the mountain tops. If you manage to reach the top of Scotland's tenth highest Munro, on a clear day you will be met with incredible views.
Former Local Nature Reserve at the Inner Tay Estuary
Historically, the Inner Tay Estuary was designated a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) by Dundee City Council and was then transferred to Perth and Kinross Council through local government reorganisation in the mid-1990s. We leased this ground from the Crown Estate but decided in 2021 not to renew the lease and to de-declare the local nature reserve. This is largely because subsequent designations afford the site far greater legal protection. The Inner Tay Estuary Local Nature Reserve De-Declaration 2025 (PDF, 78 KB) will come into effect on 20 January 2025.
The site, largely mud and sand between the high and low tide marks, provides vital habitat for bird species and is now designated as part of a larger site of special scientific interest (SSSI), special protection area (SPA), special area of conservation (SAC), and as a RAMSAR site. See below for further details.
Other protected areas
A number of sites across Perth and Kinross, including those listed here, are protected under other designations for habitats, species, landscape or other features. For further details please visit Scotland's register of protected sites at NatureScot.
Other places you can visit to get up close to wildlife
The Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre, run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) has a viewing area, bird hide and a live nest camera to give you spectacular views of some of the wildlife that visits the loch - including the magnificent Ospreys.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has a visitor centre and reserve at Loch Leven. This includes a small area of the National Nature Reserve. As well as bird hides, there is an indoor viewing area where visitors can make use of telescopes and binoculars.
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