The island is home to an incredible array of wildlife, with up to 250,000 seabirds including 45,000 breeding pairs of puffins (The best time for Puffins is from April to mid-August). But when you’re in Scotland, you must escape the city. The sheer number of seabirds which return to the Island every year to breed is staggering. Over the centuries, there have been 3 lighthouses built on the island, to allow safer navigation, Scotland's first ever lighthouse was built on the island in 1635 which was no more than a coal fire that was lit atop a stone tower. About the May Isle. If you are coming from Edinburgh you can get the bus to Anstruther from Edinburgh … They will greet you on the pier when you arrive, give a short talk including the latest goings on with the wildlife and patrol the island during your visit. Beware that the boat does not always get in as it is weather dependent-the entrance to the landing point is narrow-if it is windy and particularly if there is an easterly wind then the sailings can be cancelled We are very flexible and adjust the tours to your needs to enhance your enjoyment and seek to ensure that you do not miss that perfect photograph. We are delighted to be reopened and back in the water, once again offering our popular RIB trips. Anstruther Pleasure Cruises. Source: Julietphotography / shutterstock. Boat Service People can visit the island on the regular boat services between Easter and 30 September and it is free, although the private boat operators charge for trips to the island. We also offer trips from South Queensferry around the spectacular Forth Bridges and to Inchcolm and Inchmickery Islands. Duration 3hr ashore (approx) Explore the wildlife haven that is the Isle of May and known as the Jewel of the Forth.It is a National Nature Reserve run by Scottish Natural Heritage and is home to the largest Puffin colony on the East coast of Scotland. We are the only boat operator departing from the Lothian side of the river who are licensed by Scottish Natural Heritage to land passengers on the Isle of May. The exact time is determined by the tide and weather conditions. The island is also home to over 200 grey seals and is a feeding area for gannets. You get kitted up with a full set of waterproofs and a lifejacket and then we set out on the fast and exhilleratiing ride out to the Isle of May. At Seafari Adventures Forth we operate from two locations close to Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city. The Lake District, Edinburgh & Isle of Arran - 7 day journey; The Lake District, Edinburgh & the Speyside Whisky Trail - 7 day journey ... Edinburgh Day Trips. This means you get to see two of Scotlands best wildlife attractions in one trip!! Leaving Edinburgh is never easy. Our main base is at North Berwick where we run boat trips out to see the magnificent Bass Rock and out to the Isle of May. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. For the finishing touch, jump aboard the ferry to the Isle of Bute and explore the port of Rothesay. (Some trips are fully guided to minimise the disturb… The Low Light ceased operation in 1887 after the North Carr Lightship took up it's position to guide ships away from the dangerous reef. The Low Light is now home to the Isle of May Bird Observatory. In 1816 Robert Stevenson completed the gothic stone tower lighthouse which is still in use today. Isle of Skye, The Highlands & Loch Ness 3 day Tour from Edinburgh. St Abbs. At certain times during the nesting season Scottish Natural Hertitage insist that all visitors are guided round the island to minimise disturbance to the nesting birds. A secondary 'low light' was established in 1844 to guide ships past the notorious North Carr Reef on the northern approach to the Firth of Forth. Big colonies of Guillemots, Razorbills and Shags crowd the spectacular see cliffs. Our stunning 3 day Isle of Skye tour from Edinburgh takes you through the majestic Scottish Highlands to one of the most beautiful Islands in Scotland. One of our Fast Ribs leaves form North Berwick harbour and carries 12 passengers out to the Isle of May in approx 30 mins. The Isle of May boat trips take place on a boat called The May Princess which can sit around 100 passangers. Isle of May Trips. Between 2.5 and 3 hrs … Sailing Times. Boat trips to the Isle of May depart from Anstruther and North Berwick. Isle of May National Nature Reserve, Anstruther: Address, Phone Number, Isle of May National Nature Reserve Reviews: 5/5 ... St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh. This is an ongoing situation, so we thank you for your patience and understanding. The Isle of May is located in the north of the outer Firth of Forth, approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) off the coast of mainland Scotland.It is about 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) long and 0.5 kilometres (0.3 miles) wide. We offer exceptional wildlife and nature boat tours aiming to give the best experience possible for our trips to the Isle of May, round the island or simply a fun trip up the coast. Strictly limited capacity on these trips to ensure social distancing In spring and early summer the island becomes a teeming seabird city with thousands of seabirds returning to breed, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes and shags. Tours to Isle of Skye; 9 – Rosslyn Chapel. South Queensferry / Private Charter. The island is very easy to reach from the city of Edinburgh by car or by train to North Berwick where you can walk to the harbour rendezvous point. The boat leaves from Anstruther Harbour, in the Kingdom of Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. If you’ve exhausted all the things to do in Edinburgh, and are looking for more things to do in Scotland, Edinburgh can be a great base for some terrific day trips.You can set off to Scotland’s largest city, learn about Scotch whiskey, search for Nessie at Loch Ness, explore a medieval castle, or take in the dramatic scenery of the Scottish Highlands The Isle of May is an absolute treasure and owned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). All Isle of May landing trips must be booked in advance. Journey times by road are about five hours from Glasgow, 216 miles (348 … Isle of May Ferry, Anstruther: £28; Isle of May Boat Trips, Anstruther: £34 high season/£30 low season; Seafari Adventures Forth, North Berwick: £48 (also includes visit to … Once we arrive at the Island, you will be welcomed by the SNH wardens who live on the Island, you can then leave all of the lifejackets and waterproofs near the landing stage and then set off to explore the island. 3 Hour Special Winter Cruise down to Inchkeith Island to see the newly born seal pups. Due to the Island's location right at the entrance to the Firth of Forth, it has proved a major hazard to ships trying to enter the Forth. 7. Isle of May boat trips Experience the wonders of national nature reserve, the Isle of May, with our guided landing trips. 15 Best Day Trips from Edinburgh Scotland. The Isle of Skye can be visited on a multi-day tour from Edinburgh, which covers other famous sights of the North of Scotland, such as Lochness and Loch Lomond. Visiting the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth to find Puffins, was one of the highlights of my scottish adventures. You get kitted up with a full set of waterproofs and a lifejacket and then we set out on the fast and exhilleratiing ride out to the Isle of May. Porpoise, Dolphin and the odd whale can also be seen; you just have to be lucky. Information/Booking line - Mobile 07957 585200. Anstruther Up to five hour round trip including time to explore the island, 100 seats (35 covered), refreshments, toilet, partial disabled access, parking (20m), bus stop (East Shore - 10m). You will be ashore for between 2.5  to 3 hours (actual time depends on the tides). On every trip there is the option of joining a guided tour of the island with one of our expert guides who will take you around the island so that you get to see the best and most interesting parts of the island, and gets you up close to the wildlife but makes sure that you do not disturb the nesting birds. St. Abbs. This lovely seaside town, located on the Fife Coastal Road, is a golfing mecca and a former fishing port.. The Isle of Skye is part of the Hebrides Islands off Scotland’s west coast and can be reached by ferry from Mallaig or Glenelg, or by road, crossing the Skye Bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh. Buy your Discovery Centre and boat trip together for a special, discounted price. Isle of May Boat Trips Ltd appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to breaching Section 100 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, relating to the unsafe operation of a vessel. Check out the Isle of May page on the Scotland's National Nature Reserves website and the Isle of May blog. The views and sights are a little too enjoyable. We also offer trips from South Queensferry around the spectacular Forth Bridges and to Inchcolm and Inchmickery Islands. The Isle of May is steeped in history with the remains of a 6th & 12 century monasteries and 3 light houses including the oldest in Scotland. Our 2020 Sailing season is now complete. This tiny village, Roslin or Rosslyn, 7 miles (11 km) from Edinburgh… Last weekend myself, Taylor and my mum headed to Anstruther, armed with a packed lunch and a flask of tea, and hopped on the May Princess, our vessel for the day. North Berwick (To Bass Rock & Isle of May) St Andrews is yet another one of the easy day trips from Edinburgh that you can plan on your own. Trips to the Island run from April through to the end of September Trips take 4 to 5 hours, with 2 to 3 hours on the island to enjoy the wildlife. 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