A VISIT TO LOCH LEVEN

The first thing you notice as you get out of your car in the car park is the massed squadrons of midges. There are millions of the blighters and it seems as if they have been starving themselves in anticipation of your arrival! Just grit your teeth and make sure you don't inhale too strongly. The second sight to greet you is the vast expanse of the loch and the small islands that rise up like emeralds from the blueness of the water. Stand and admire the view and take the opportunity of a photo shoot.

The first place of interest to visit is the cemetary on the banks of the loch. There is a large crypt in the centre and the surrounding headstones tell some sad tales from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Whole families have been buried in the same grave - and some of the ages of the inhabitants tell of tragedies, both domestic and military.
The cemetary is well kept and a poignant place to spend some time.

Perhaps now is the time to have a picnic on the banks of the loch. There is a small shop where you can purchase soft drinks or hire some clubs for a game of mini golf. There is also an large area of well-manicured grass with seats and tables to enable you to relax and enjoy the panorama. As you can see from the images on this page there are plenty of sights to be seen.

 

After your rest period it is time for a boat trip across the water to the island with its ruined castle. This is the castle that is reputed to have been the enforced home of Mary, Queen of Scots. There is enough of the edifice left for you to use your imagination to take a trip back in time.
The boat ride will cost you £3 - the tickets are purchased from the small tourist shop on the island itself - and takes approximately 7 minutes.
Once ashore you are left to your own devices and can stay for as long as you want. When you do decide to go back to the mainland, and the boat is not at the jetty, just pop into the shop and ask the assistant to radio the boatman for you. Personal service!
All of the pertinent areas of the castle itself are clearly depicted on informative signs that tell you about how the structure looked before it fell into ruins. You can actually enter the keep itself and climb up inside.

At this point I will stop my story and let you discover the delights of a visit to Loch Leven for yourself. Steeped in history and a delight to the eyes, Loch Leven can be found on the outskirts of Kinross which is situated off the M90 north of the Forth road bridge in Fife, Scotland. Enjoy it as I did!