A transformation of the visitor facilities at Loch Leven’s precious woodland and wetland reserve has recently been completed, with an Astor Bannerman Changing Places toilet being installed as part of the ambitious project.

With growing numbers of people visiting RSPB Scotland Loch Leven in recent years, the site was reaching capacity at peak times and the facilities and immediate area around needed to be improved. So, the RSPB initiated a project, funded by the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund and players of the People’s postcode Lottery, to update the facilities on-site, creating an even better visitor experience, improving accessibility to nature for more people and maximising the environmental sustainability of the reserve.

To facilitate the installation of a Changing Places toilet, part of the courtyard building was converted into a new toilet wing. The new toilet block contains a Changing Places toilet, an accessible toilet, two family cubicles and individual toilets.

The equipment in the Changing Places toilet includes:

Astor CTX2 Changing Table

Astor OT200 Overhead Hoist

ABW6 Height Adjustable Wash Basin

– Shower

– Peninsular Toilet

– Privacy Screen

– Accessories including support rails

As well as installing a Changing Places Toilet, other accessibility improvements have been made, including the adding of extra disabled parking spaces and a new ramp to the café.

This work follows on from a project in 2019, when a fully accessible ramped underpass was built to enable easy access from the visitor centre, underneath the adjacent road, to the reserve beyond.

There are also a number of wheelchair friendly routes around the reserve, and wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available.

ABOUT RSPB LOCH LEVEN

As so many of us are acutely aware, connections to nature and experiencing the outdoors have never been more important. Not only does it benefit our own mental and physical health, but it is also the single most important first step in a journey that has the potential to deliver real action for the environment.

Helping solve the current biodiversity and climate crises demands real action, but first people need to be engaged and inspired by the natural world. RSPB Scotland Loch Leven is well placed to do this, receiving approximately 80,000 visitors a year and connecting to the Loch Leven Heritage Trail – a 13-mile circular, all abilities path around the Loch, that attracts over 200,000 visits a year.

RSPB Scotland has had a presence at Loch Leven since 1967, when it purchased Vane Farm on the southern shore of the loch. It has changed greatly since then with infrastructure and habitat changes that have transformed it into the wetland and woodland reserve we see today. What has however stayed constant throughout the past 54 years, is the desire to show people wildlife and allow them to experience it first-hand – to make connections with nature.

Find out more about RSPB Loch Leven 

ABOUT ASTOR BANNERMAN

Astor Bannerman offer the full range of products specified by Changing Places regulations, including fixed and mobile changing tables, hoists, height adjustable washbasins, toilets and accessories. They are always developing new products, and are proud to have developed the Astor Invincible, the first changing table designed specifically for Changing Places toilets.

ABOUT AVESO

The team at Aveso are passionate about Changing Places toilets. They have supported the official Changing Places campaign since 2013, and can provide free, expert advice on all aspects of the Changing Places planning and design process.

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