Council awards funding to boost visitor offer at RSPB Lochwinnoch

RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve has secured more than £19k funding from Renfrewshire Council to enhance its visitor experience.

RSPB Lochwinnoch was awarded £19,236 funding from the council’s Village Investment Fund (VIF) to install a 13ft wooden gazebo, providing a sheltered space with picnic benches, creating an all-weather area for volunteers and visitors to rest, learn, and connect.

The fund supports investment in infrastructure and place-based projects that aim to strengthen the identity, heritage, uniqueness and integrity of villages across Renfrewshire.

RSPB Lochwinnoch was also successful in securing almost £15,000 from the Villages Investment Fund earlier in 2025.  This funding supported the installation of new children’s play equipment as well as a raised pond and interactive non-invasive pond equipment. The raised pond will support inclusive and educational nature-engagement activities for all, while supporting a range of plant and wildlife species.

The organisation also secured £48,000 from the council’s Sustainable Communities Fund for the installation of an on-site solar powered workshop, which supports around 100 RSPB volunteers who clear pathways, care for local wildlife and help visitors.

RSPB Scotland has ambitious plans for the popular tourist site and have sought funding and support from a number of other sources to deliver a range of improvements to the reserve.

Funding from the Scottish Landfill fund has supported the installation of the new, and more accessible Aird Meadow wildlife viewing hide. A combination of funding support from FCC Communities Foundation via the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund, Brown Forbes Memorial Fund and a corporate donation of recycled plastic, is enabling work to progress to extend the Aird Meadow Trail boardwalk by almost 200m including two passing places and a new viewpoint overlooking the wetland.

Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities and Housing Policy Board, Cllr Marie McGurk, said: “Our Villages Investment Fund aims to support groups and projects looking to build up the character and identity of the local community.

“RSPB Lochwinnoch’s plan to improve the visitor experience with the installation of a new gazebo will provide a sheltered space that can be used by volunteers and visitors in all weather. People will be able to use the space to relax, learn and gather or simply take in the stunning views and observe the wildlife across the reserve.

“The RSPB nature reserve is a much-loved attraction in Lochwinnoch and wider Renfrewshire and I’m delighted that we are able to continue to support them in their ambitious plans to improve their visitor experience.”  

Site Manager for RSPB Lochwinnoch nature reserve, Tabby Lamont, said: “Funding like this is essential to helping RSPB Lochwinnoch nature reserve achieve its goal of reconnecting people, regardless of background, experience or abilities and challenges, with nature.

“External funding is essential for any project we wish to deliver, from habitat projects increasing biodiversity, to infrastructure projects enabling people to visit the reserve and enjoy the wildlife. This project is part of a wider programme of work to make the visitor experience more comfortable and fulfilling.

“In addition to providing shelter from the elements, in the form of a wooden gazebo, other funding has been secured to enable us to create a sensory garden, ramp, viewing platform and screen, on the footprint of the old visitor centre. We are also applying for funding for a Changing Places Toilet, which if successful, would be installed later this year.”

The Village Investment Fund was created in 2018 and since then a total of £970k has been made available for creative projects and local groups to apply for. Currently more than £170k is still available in the fund for groups to apply for.

Visit the Renfrewshire Council website and search for Village Investment Fund to find out more about how to apply.