Bawsinch and Duddingston

Duddingston Loch is the only example of a natural freshwater loch in the City of Edinburgh. It is an important site for breeding and wintering wildfowl and includes areas of mixed woodland, scrub, grassland and reedbeds. Otters have been spotted swimming along the shore in winter.

Why visit?

Highlights include:

  • Breeding wildfowl
  • Wintering wildfowl
  • Heronry with breeding herons

Best time to visit?

  • All year round for birds and trees

Visit for:

  • birdwatching
  • woodlands
  • grasslands
  • wildflowers
  • pond

Other information

The northern side is accessible all year. Access to the bird hide on the southern side is by prior arrangement through the Trust’s head office.

Facilities

Hover for more information

VISITING THE RESERVE

How to get there

Directions

The reserve lies just under 2 miles from the centre of Edinburgh, at the southern end of Holyrood Park and south of Duddingston village.

Get directions

Getting onto the reserve

The northern shore is accessible from the car park just west of Duddingston village. Access to the southern shore is through a locked gate and is by prior arrangement only.

Access restrictions

Northern shore is open all year round. Access to the southern shore is by prior arrangement with the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Nearest town
Edinburgh (2 mi / 3.2 km)
OS grid ref
NT284725
Landranger map
66

Bawsinch and Duddingston

FURTHER READING

About Bawsinch and Duddingston

Out & about

Nearby reserves
Johnston Terrace Garden
Erraid Wood
Roslin Glen

Local group
Lothians

Links & downloads

Reserve map

iSpot

Stay up to date with the Scottish Wildlife Trust by subscribing to our mailing list Subscribe now

Back to top