Lochore Meadows Country Park

This review is based on the Scottish Disability Sport Young Person's Sport Panel: The paddleboarding and kayaking was very inclusive. The staff were very friendly and were willing to adapt to meet the participants' needs. The staff made it so that participants didn't have to walk into the water from their wheelchairs to get onto the paddleboards/kayaks and instead brought the equipment to them. The staff were willing to cut the wetsuits to make them inclusive. They had the option of paddleboards & kayaks so that everyone could get onto the water. In terms of the changing facilities, there was a spacious disabled changing facility which was good, however there was a bed underneath the shower which mean the shower could not be used. It would have been nice for participants to have a shower after being out in the cold. Within the main changing rooms, there was also a disabled toilet with some space to change in. However the toilet changing area perhaps was not big enough for all wheelchair sizes, so perhaps could be bigger to make the facility better. Within the changing rooms there were a few cubicles to change in but also lots of benches outwith the cubicles for participants to use if needed. But overall, the experience was very inclusive and all participants thoroughly enjoyed it!

This place was recommended to me as a nice place for a walk that was pretty accessible. I had a day off so my dad and I thought we'd check it out. What a lovely place. Oodles of walks and mountain bike trails meander through the woods around the loch. Some of them are tarred, some more natural. There's a wee visitors centre at the start with a cafe and a changing places style toilet. There was a drive deck available - looked like a trolley that turned a manual chair into an electric one (see pic). Outside is a wee beach area with fab play park with accessible equipment and a sailing club. We chose the 3.5mile walk around the loch. The first part was tarred and flat, however it did get steeper and more of a woodland track half way round. Nothing incredibly hard but I think a manual chair with little wheels might struggle a bit with the stones. At one point there was loose cows too! Would have stayed for lunch however their card machine was broken (I never have cash) and from what I seen service was extremely slow.

All facilities are in a temporary location until the new visitor centre is complete. Dedicated facilities with support are available for disabled people, take to the water, use an adapted bike or enjoy the walks with a mobility scooter. It is all here. Super pleasant staff, cafe, accessible toilet and “changing places” facility.