Home > Uniquely Unspoilt Magazine > Issue 20 > Scottish Seabrid Centre
~~ The Scottish Seabird Centre - by Alison Chadwick ~~
Become a wildlife cameraman for the day at the Scottish Seabird Centre!
The centre offers visitors the unique experience of becoming a wildlife cameraman to watch amazing wildlife close up.
Set in a stunning location, overlooking the islands of the Firth of Forth, the centre boasts a growing national and international reputation, a stream of prestigious awards and is one of an elite number of Five Star attractions in Scotland.
Visitors control live remote control cameras to the wildlife-rich islands, to get really close to seabirds and marine wildlife, so close that they can actually read the ID rings on birds' feet.
The islands of the Forth are rich in wildlife with puffins and gannets in spring and summer, seals with pups in winter and occasional sightings of dolphins and whales.
On camera, visitors see the comical puffins popping out from their underground burrows, the penguin-like guillemots huddled together on the rock faces and the famous Bass Rock gannets with their fluffy white chicks and seals lazing in the sun!
There's a massive puffin colony (70,000 pairs) on the Isle of May and the famous Bass Rock, with 100,000 gannets, is the largest single island colony in the world. The grey seal colony on the Isle of May is the largest on the east coast of Britain with 3,000 seals beaching to have their fluffy white pups from October to December.
An all-weather attraction, there's something for everyone, with interactives, wildlife theatre, talks, events, visiting exhibitions and workshops and boat trips to the islands.
There are several boat operators offering trips around the islands of the Forth from Easter to early October, including landing trips to the Bass Rock, exclusively with the Scottish Seabird Centre. See our website for more information.
The new £1 million Environment Zone, which was opened this year, explores the impact our actions are having on the planet and what we can do to help, while the new Flyway, an underground interactive tunnel, highlights the incredible and hazardous journeys made by seabirds across the world.
It's the perfect day out for everyone - beautiful beaches, picnic areas, panoramic views from the centre's Café Bistro with its open deck overlooking the sea and the popular Gift Shop, where visitors are guaranteed to find something a bit different. The centre caters for families with children's meals, nappy changing and bottle warming and there's lots to keep children entertained.
Tickets can be booked on line in advance with a saving of 20%. Also First ScotRail is offering a fantastic day out package which includes return travel from Edinburgh and a day ticket for £7.60 for an adult and £22.60 for a family ticket. Just ask at Waverley Station, Edinburgh.
East Lothian is just a short trip from the bright lights of Edinburgh, but it feels a million miles away. Stunning unspoilt coastline, blue flag beaches, dramatic panoramic landscapes and it's officially the sunniest place in Scotland!
Attractive villages dot the rolling countryside and there is a wealth of specialist shops, seals and even occasional sightings of dolphins and whales! There are also cafes, restaurants and accommodation, together with some of the world's most famous golf courses.
Lynda Dalgleish
Scottish Seabird Centre
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