Loch Leven
Loch Leven, in Perth and Kinross near Kinross town, is best known for Loch Leven Castle, the small island fortress where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567-68 and from which she staged a dramatic escape before her final defeat at the Battle of Langside. The loch itself is a large, shallow body of water surrounded by farmland and low hills, and today it's protected as a National Nature Reserve, renowned for its wintering wildfowl - it hosts one of the largest concentrations of breeding and wintering ducks, geese and swans in Britain.
A popular circular path, the Loch Leven Heritage Trail, runs roughly 13 miles around the shoreline, well used by walkers and cyclists and dotted with hides and viewpoints for birdwatching. The castle island is reached by a short seasonal boat trip from Kinross, making the combination of Mary Stuart's dramatic history and the loch's wildlife an easy pairing for a half-day out from either Perth or St Andrews.
Loch Leven FAQs
By a short boat trip from Kinross Pier, operated seasonally (generally spring through autumn) - check current sailing times as the castle is only reachable by water.
It's best known as the site of Mary, Queen of Scots' imprisonment in 1567-68 and her escape from the castle on the loch's island.
Yes, the roughly 13-mile trail around the loch is a popular, mostly flat route for both walkers and cyclists.
It's one of Britain's most important sites for wintering wildfowl, including large numbers of ducks, geese and whooper swans, particularly in autumn and winter.
No, the loch and heritage trail are free and open to the public; only the castle boat trip carries a separate ticket cost.
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