One of Britain’s great wildlife spectacles, on the doorstep
From late September the first skeins of pink-footed geese arrive over Loch Leven from their breeding grounds in Iceland, and by October and November the loch holds tens of thousands of them. They roost on the water overnight, then at first light lift off in long, noisy lines to feed on the surrounding farmland, returning at dusk. It is loud, it is enormous, and it happens a five-minute walk from The Old Schoolhouse.
When to come
- October and November are the peak, when numbers are at their highest and the mornings are still bearable.
- December to February has fewer geese but they stay through the winter, along with whooper swans and large numbers of wintering ducks.
- Dawn and dusk are the moments. The fly-out starts around sunrise, which in November is after 7.30am, so there is no heroic alarm needed. The return flights at dusk are just as good and come with a hot drink afterwards.
Where to stand
- Kirkgate Park and the Kinross shore, a five-minute walk from the house. Stand by the pier and look east over the water as the light comes up. This is the easiest option and the one we do most.
- RSPB Loch Leven, on the south shore about fifteen minutes by car, has hides looking over the shallows where the geese and ducks gather, a cafe with a view, and a shop. Well worth a morning, and a good wet-weather option.
- The Heritage Trail runs flat around the whole loch, so you can walk out along the shore and find your own spot. Burleigh Sands on the north side is quiet and open.
Bring binoculars if you have them, but honestly the geese are hard to miss. Dogs are welcome on the trail; please keep them on a lead near the reserve.
Make a weekend of it
A geese weekend pairs well with the rest of what Kinross does in winter: a loch walk, the Loch Leven Heritage Trail, the brewery and the pubs, and a warm house to come back to. We open up two-night stays from November, so a Friday to Sunday works. See our winter breaks page for dates, and if you are bringing the dog, our dog-friendly page has the walks.