NATURE lovers are now able to make use of a brand new walkway at a local wildlife reserve.

The RSPB Scotland charity has completed the construction of a new 400m boardwalk at its site near Lochwinnoch.

For many years, there was an ambition to improve visitor access by creating a circular path to allow people to explore more of what the nature reserve has to offer. 

This week, RSPB Scotland and partners will be marking a huge step forward in realizing this ambition by celebrating the opening of a new boardwalk that provides level and safe access to a previously inaccessible part of the nature reserve.  

The work was made possible thanks to generous support from Visit Scotland’s Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of the Garnock Connections landscape partnership scheme. 

The boardwalk closes 400m of the 870m gap in a circular route around the Aird Meadow Loch.

The new route provides a much longed for waterside walk, allowing people better access to view water birds and providing wonderful scenic views of the Aird Meadow Loch before ending at a viewpoint beside the Peel Tower.

This scheduled monument was consolidated last year as part of the Garnock Connections project.

The 16th-century fortified tower was built by the Semple family as a “safe place” in times of war but until now, most visitors to RSPB Lochwinnoch did not know it was there.

The new route will also help staff and volunteers manage the site for the benefit of visitors and wildlife, giving easy access to areas that were previously hard to reach and could be susceptible to anti-social behaviour occurring in areas that were out of sight.

Tabby Lamont, RSPB Scotland site manager at Lochwinnoch, said: “The new boardwalk is a real game-changer for the nature reserve.

"It will allow our visitors to experience new views and see so much more of the incredible wildlife here, not to mention the Peel Tower, that hardly anyone even knew was there.

"At the same time, it means our staff and volunteers can easily access the site and make sure it's safely managed for everyone and for the wildlife that uses the loch.

"We’re really looking forward to celebrating this with everyone who has helped us to make the project happen.”

At the official opening of the boardwalk this Friday, May 12, all those who have been involved in delivering and supporting this project will be marking its successful completion with a celebration event and walk at RSPB Lochwinnoch.

VisitScotland’s rural tourism infrastructure fund manager, Lynn Hamilton, said: “It is fantastic to see access for visitors improved at Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve through the rural tourism infrastructure fund.

“Visitors are increasingly choosing activities that boost health and well-being and this accessible development should ensure more people can enjoy immersing themselves in the local wildlife and the beautiful surroundings, without impacting on the natural biodiversity.”

In future, the aim is to extend the boardwalk and complete the long-awaited circular route that would provide the local community and visitors with access to even more of the nature reserve.