Sadly my one year contract as a visitor centre assistant has come to an end at Lowes but I have had such a great time.

When I first started, I was thrown straight into osprey season which was a bit of a whirlwind (still is). I soon got to grips thanks to working with some excellent staff and volunteers in the visitor centre answering my questions. It was fantastic to see PH2 and PH1 fledge and eventually see the whole family off last year.

One of the magic things (and most evident) are the changes from season to season. It was amazing to watch the colour change in the trees and hear the cracking of the fallow deer rut. It was amazing watching winter visitors stopping in on the loch like the geese and wigeon and seeing brambling on the feeders. Seeing the loch frozen over was also quiet a spectacle, perhaps not so appreciated by the mallards sliding across it.

I think we were all thankful for spring and the success so far with the ospreys. It is abundantly obvious that these birds and this place are very special to people and it has been a joy being part of it. It has been great seeing all the chicks of the goosander, mallard and great crested grebe. My most exciting spot has to be seeing the pine marten multiple of times from the window in the visitor centre.

I would just like to say a huge thank you to the Trust and Community Jobs Scotland for providing me with this opportunity. I gained a lot of skill in running and maintaining a visitor centre over the year (including battles with the till!). I have enjoyed educating visitors about the Trust , Loch of the Lowes and its wildlife. The job has propelled both my personal and professional development and I feel well equipped for moving on my career and I would love another opportunity to work with the Trust in the future.

I would also like to thank all the staff and volunteers who are no doubt the most amazing team in the world; I have learned so much from all of you. Best of luck with the rest of the season and I will see you soon!

Christy

About to be Previous Visitor Centre Assistant

Loch of the Lowes