New Loch Leven hide to rise from ashes
A bird-watching hide that was destroyed by vandals is being rebuilt after the public got behind an appeal to put the landmark wooden structure at Loch Leven back up.
Locals and visitors alike were devastated to learn that the award-winning Mill Hide was burnt down last month.
Encouraged by many offers of support from the community - over £13,000 of a £35,000 target already pledged - NatureScot, which owns the site, revealed it aims to rebuild the hide, to look as it did before, within months.
The hide on the shore of Loch Leven, within the National Nature Reserve and on the Heritage Trail close to Kinross, was particularly enjoyed as a place from which to watch ducks, geese and swans.
It provided outstanding views across the loch, acting as a focal point for short walks and a resting place for those on a longer circuit of the loch.
Having been built in 2011 and winning two design awards, following the fire, the burnt remains will be removed this week.
“We’re hoping the foundations will have survived to support the replacement structure,” said a NatureScot spokesperson.
“For the rebuild, we will speak with visitors about how to make it even better, and reduce the chances of it being damaged again.”
The online fundraiser is being done through MyParkScotland, the country’s only crowdfunding site specifically for nature reserves, parks and green spaces and still has six weeks to go before closing for donations.