rspb lochwinnoch nature reserve

Great day out, perfect for an amateur photographer and bird spotter like me. The staff are really friendly and polite.

This is a great place to take your kids. The staff are very helpful especially letting you know what you're looking at!

Always a pleasure to visit as there is always something happening. Well stocked shop to buy all your needs for your garden birds. Good walks in the surrounding area. The volunteer staff are very friendly and helpful.

I have visited a great many RSPB reserves, and Lochwinnoch is among the best, access to the reserve is a mere twenty minutes from Glasgow Central Railway Station, well positioned signs ensure you will find the reserve on arrival, and a 5 minute walk will bring you to the visitor center, You will be greeted with a smile by the staff, who are keen to point out the reserves assets and what wildlife abound on the day. Several footpaths run through the reserve all easy going,, with plenty to see, or if you prefer just relax and sit back with a coffee and watch the birds busy on the feeders in front of the visitor center, But keep your eyes peeled its not just birds, but occasionally Otters weasels, stoats and Voles can be seen by those lucky enough with a keen eye, Another useful feature of the reserve is its camera hide, here you can spend hours, photographing the birds as they go about feeding, The Barr Loch is well worth a visit, more so in Winter,over wintering birds arrive in numbers, Widgeon, Teal, and the Whooper swan to name but a few. If you don't have a pair of Binoculars, not a problem the friendly shop staff will happily hire you a pair for a small fee, Overall this is a very active reserve with many organised events mainly aimed at the young explorer of the future, If your looking for an enjoyable day out with the family, then look no further, But be warned one visit is never quite enough

What a wonderful stroll beside the Loch. Lots of visiting duck and evidence of real nature when we found a killing site. Sadly we could identify the deceased Coot but have no idea who was doing the killing. Otters and mink reported in the area. This walk is for the able bodied as there was a lot of clambering over the reeds and uneven surfaces. Kids would love it.

If you are a twitcher or just love nature thisIs the place to visit. The building is somewhat old but the views are fantastic.IOver the loch. There are good trials which is suitable for some with limited physical ability. Staff and vulnerable meters are very friendly and knowledgable. Great pursuits for children, e.g. Pond dipping. Highly recommend a visit to here.

I took my 7 year old son for the day for a cheap day out. It was surprisingly busy! Even though it was a school holiday in the area there was a school who were visiting. There is a small visitors centre with big windows to look out over the loch with binoculars and a telescope to use. There is also a microscope that the kids can bring things from outside to look at. There is a small shop inside the centre with tea and coffee and some animal food etc. The walks are lovely and very accessible. Wellies are a must! I learned the hard way. The grounds are well maintained with loads to see. The centre even has a trail for the kids to follow. There is also a dipping pond were the kids can look for creatures. Son is excited to go back and spend more time there.

We really enjoyed the peace, quiet and the fabulous nature scene during our walk. It's truly worth a visit whether you're a tourist or not.

Very nice, small visitors centre - with large viewing windows and binoculars. Some well marked short walks around this side of the loch. They had some kids activities on when we went, which my nephews really enjoyed. Best thing about the centre was the very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable staff.

lovely bird sanctuary, very peaceful and tranquil walks and binoculars are available to borrow. beautiful views out over the loch toward castle semple. hot drinks and limited amount of small snacks are available

This is a small reserve mainly wetland. The facilities are very good with a range of binoculars and telescopes to borrow within the centre and an excellent viewing area inside with many birds coming to the feeders. There is a picnic area just outside again with bird feeders. Often groups of small children enjoying the birds. There is no café but hot drinks and snacks are available. The walks are easy and much has been done to attract younger visitors. I visit when in Scotland on business and find it a relaxing break, which is available even the early hours although the centre itself is not open then. There are plenty of places very nearby to eat in the small town of Lochwinnoch itself and Muirshell Country Park is only across the water. There is a pub a few yards down the main road although I have not sampled that yet. It had had a good reputation in the past. Well worth stopping off there on the way to the coastal towns of North Ayrshire or to escape the bustle of nearby Paisley. The centre is free to visit but there is a small charge for non members using the walks.