Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) is hoping for a wild winter this year, as SWT’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre announces new winter opening times. 

Now open seven days a week, all year, the SWT visitor centre is encouraging locals to come along to the reserve to enjoy spotting a host of creatures still active during the winter months.  

Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve is home to red squirrels, great spotted woodpeckers, otters, fallow deer and roe deer – all of which can be viewed from one of the three hides situated on-site.  Through the visitor centre’s viewing window, numerous small bird species including chaffinches and siskins can be spotted.

Feeding stations are monitored via a remote CCTV camera which can be viewed on the reserve’s website, www.swt.org.uk, and has been known to capture Scotland’s elusive pine marten in action. 

Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre Manager, Peter Ferns, said:  “This is the first year the visitor centre will be open throughout the winter season and we are eager to make it a big success. 

“As there is still such a lot to see on the reserve in winter-time, the availability of the visitor centre services will really enhance the experience of our winter visitors.  We hope this will also encourage more people to come along and enjoy the winter wildlife.”

SWT’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre is now open from 10 am – 5 pm, seven days a week, all year.    Admission costs £7 per family, or £3.50 per adult and £2.50 per concession. 
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NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. For more information on Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve visit SWT’s homepage www.swt.org.uk

2.  SWT is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 31,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.

3.  SWT receives financial assistance and support from Scottish Natural Heritage.

4.  Squirrel © T Norman Tait

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nicola McGovern, PR Officer, SWT
Tel: 0131 312 4742.