An award-wining bird hide at an iconic beauty spotwhich was destroyed by fire is to be rebuilt after tens of thousands of pounds were raised in just over two months.
NatureScot’s Mill Hide on the shores of Loch Leven National Nature Reserve (NNR) was completely destroyed in a blaze on February 18th.
Encouraged by the many offers of support from the community, the organisation began a campaign on 1 March to raise funds to re-build the hide through MyParkScotland, Scotland’s only crowdfunding site specifically for nature reserves, parks and greenspaces.
Now the fundraising effort has raised £30,000 and has almost reached its goal of of £35,000 to re-build the hide.
READ MORE: Mill Hide in Kinross 'gutted by blaze'
However, NatureScot has committed to make up any shortfall in the costs of rebuilding the hide this year.
The hide, built in 2011 and situated on the edge of Kinross behind the Todd and Duncan factory, won awards for its architectural design.
It was a much-loved place for locals and visitors alike to enjoy some of the best views of the loch and the large number of birds congregating on the water.
The view from the Hide Pic Lorne Gill/NatureScot
NatureScot’s reserve manager Neil Mitchell said: “We’re hugely thankful to everyone who contributed to the appeal. Many people enjoyed the hide’s wonderful vantage point for the ducks, geese and swans that feed and roost in Factory Bay – as well as the occasional glimpse of a kingfisher.
“The response from the community and the general public has been amazing. Given this bird watching site’s popularity and fantastic loch side location near Kinross, we are determined to replace the hide as soon as possible.”
“We’d like to thank local businesses, particularly Loch Leven Brewery for its special edition Phoenix Beer, developed to raise funds for the hide, as well as recognise the collective efforts of the community through sponsored events and raffles, with very generous donations from benefactors.”
Among those who took part in the fundraising effort was the local Beaver group, which raised £500 from its fundraising walk.
The 1st Kinross Beavers, who helped raise funds
Speaking on behalf of Kinross Community Council, Chair Lynne McKay, added: “While we were pleased that no one was injured in the fire, we were all shocked and saddened by the destruction of one of Loch Leven's treasured loch-side facilities.
"With its award-winning design and vantage point in a beautiful spot at the south-west of the loch, the hide was a much-loved building.
“Reserve Manager Neil Mitchell has told us that support from the local community and friends and family from far and wide has been both overwhelming and heart-warming.”
READ MORE: Crowdfunder launched to save iconic Mill hide
The charred, skeletal remains of the hide were removed in early March, and the site fenced off for public safety. The foundations survived the fire and will support the replacement structure.
Loch Leven is Scotland’s most-visited National Nature Reserve, with more than 300,000 people a year travellinh to admire the site's views and scenery.
The hide won the award for the best "Low Cost Project" at the 2012 Scottish Design Awards.
The same architects will be tasked with rebuilding the secondhide, and are looking at the design of the original to see what measures may be put in place to prevent a similar incident in the future and the ways in which NatureScot can involve the community in the building’s reinstatement.
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