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Vane Farm Bumblebee Sanctuary

Vane Farm Bumblebee Sanctuary is the world's first reserve designed for bees. Created on part of RSPB Scotland's Vane Farm reserve, the sanctuary has already attracted rare and numerous bees.

Vane Farm is set in the beautiful Kinross countryside and the walk through the birch woods to the summit of Vane Hill gives spectacular views over Loch Leven NNR. 

The Bumblebee sanctuary was created, and is managed by, the Bumblebee Conservation trust.

Wildlife highlights: The bumblebees certainly are thriving - countless hundreds buzz from flower to flower, along with butterflies, hoverflies and other insects. Swallows and skylarks in turn benefit from the abundant insect life. Many visitors are lucky enough to see the rare and beautiful blaeberry bumblebee, lured down from nearby hills. It is hoped that one day the critically endangered Great Yellow bumblebee might also be persuaded to return.

Visiting: The success of the project is plain to see, and it's not just rare bumblebees that are benefiting. "Visitors can now walk through the meadow on a specially created trail", explains Uwe Stoneman, manager at Vane Farm. "The addition of the meadow, along with our bird hides, woodland walks, café and shop means that there really is something for everyone at Vane - it's an excellent day out for the whole family."

Location and Opening times
Vane Farm Loch Leven visitor centre is open 10 am-5 pm daily, and the trails and hides are open 24 hours a day throughout the year (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and 2 January).

Entrance charges: Adults £3, children 50p, concessions £2, family £6 and RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members are free.

Nearest town: Kinross

Grid reference:NT160990

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