Result of public consultation on local access guidance at Loch Ruthven
Feedback has been collated from a public consultation launched by The Highland Council that could help protect a rare species of bird at Loch Ruthven near Farr, south of Inverness.
The entire UK breeding population of Slavonian Grebes is usually found in lochs within 30 miles of Inverness. The number of breeding pairs on the loch has declined from a long-term average of 13 to just 3 in 2024. The consultation was launched to develop local access guidance at Loch Ruthven that could help protect the birds during their breeding season.
The consultation closed on 16 May with 239 people responding to the invitation for opinions and ideas on a proposal to ask people not to canoe, paddleboard or swim at the east end of the loch between 1 March and 31 August.
Responses have shown considerable support for the proposal with 88% of respondents believing the idea to be reasonable and acceptable. Many qualified their support saying that research into the causes of the decline in Slavonian Grebes was needed, along with education and publicity about the birds’ plight.
15 people said they would not agree to the guidance, with most concerned about how it might affect their rights to fish the loch. Those rights are private and will remain unaffected.
Others who did not support the proposal felt that the case against swimmers, paddleboarders and canoeists was not proven and that more research was needed into the causes of the decline. They too felt that more education and information was needed for water sports enthusiasts visiting the loch.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (Scotland) manages land at the east end of the loch with the help of a ranger and volunteers and will continue to monitor activity at the loch whilst helping people understand what is being asked of them and why. Proposals for a wider and more in-depth study into why Slavonian Grebes numbers are declining are also in the pipeline. These measures will be useful when determining if the local access guidance is effective in protecting the birds.
With the majority of respondents backing the proposal - including clubs and organisations representing paddle sports - Highland Council will support the message asking people to avoid swimming, paddleboarding or canoeing at the east of the loch until the end of August 2025. The effectiveness of this local access guidance will be reviewed after the 2025 breeding season.
