seabird boat trips north berwick

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Scottish Seabird Centre

Get back to nature with a visit to this award-winning, all-weather attraction. Discovery Experience, gift shop, cafe and boat trips.

Enjoy a great day out at the seaside with the award winning Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, only 30 minutes from Edinburgh.

In the Discovery Experience control interactive live cameras on the local islands to zoom in on the amazing wildlife in its natural habitat. Don't miss the gannets and the puffins on the Isle of May National Nature Reserve, the biggest puffin colony on the east coast of Britain. 

There's different wildlife to see throughout the year and at different stages of the breeding season. Check out the wildlife calendar on their website for details of what you might see. 

Relax in the Seabird Café which boasts a large seaside sun deck, with stunning views out to the Firth of Forth. There's also a gift shop and seasonal boat trips.

Boat trips run between April and the end of September. Enjoy the wildlife in the Firth of Forth from the custom built 55 seat catamaran or the Three Islands Seabird Seafari on the fast RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat). Further trips include Landing trips to the Isle of May and Bass Rock.

Full disabled access, baby changing and free parking. Visitors with a valid train ticket can receive 20% discount on entry to the Discovery Experience on that day. 

Public Transport Directions

Walking and cycling

The Scottish Seabird Centre forms part of the  John Muir Way . We have bike racks and the North Berwick train is specially equipped with additional bike storage.

Fast, 35 minute journey from Edinburgh Waverley. 

We offer a 20% discount for the  Discovery Experience  with a valid train ticket for that day,

The Seabird Centre is a 15 minute walk from North Berwick train station: this walk is downhill to the Centre and uphill back to the station.

Local taxi companies: Jim's Taxis +44 (0)1620 894900 and A2B Taxis +44 (0)1620 895000.

Transport around East Lothian is provided by  First East Scotland ,  Eve Coaches  and  Prentice Coaches.

Only 25 miles/ 40kms from the centre of Edinburgh, the Scottish Seabird Centre and North Berwick are signposted from the A1. Follow the brown tourist signs to the Seabird Centre’s pay-and-display car park, we are 5 minutes walk from here. Just head for the sea!.

The parking rates are: Up to 1 hour £3.00; Up to 2 hours £5.00; Up to 3 hours £7.00; full day (9am to 6pm) £8.00 and FREE from October to February. All parking income supports the conservation and education work of our Charity.

Please note, there is disabled parking adjacent to the Centre and in the Centre's car park.

Transport and Parking

• On Public Transport Route
• Coach Parking
• Public Parking Nearby
• Pets Welcome

Accessibility

• Lift or stairlift
• Ramp to main entrance
• Wheelchairs or mobility aids provided
• Level access to all public areas
• Partially suitable for visitors with limited mobility
• Level access to main entrance
• Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
• Level access to dining room, cafe or restaurant
• Level Access
• Wheelchair access throughout
• Level access from entrance to reception
• Accessible toilets
• Access guide

Dietary Options

• Gluten Free
• Vegan Meals Available
• Vegetarian Meals available
• Children's Menu Available
• Baby Changing Facilities
• Public Toilet Facilities
• Lunch Available
• Breakfast Available
• Licensed Bar
• Catering Available
• Patio or Beer Garden
• Cafe or Restaurant

Payment Methods

• Credit Card
• Coastal Location
• Sea/Loch View
• Town Location

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The Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick: Seeing Puffins and More!

Last updated: February 22, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 3 Comments

Jess has wanted to see puffins for a very long time, so when the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, Scotland, offered us a trip on one of their bird watching tours at the start of puffin season, naturally we leapt at the opportunity.

Since then we’ve actually visited twice, and done two trips with the Scottish seabird centre – one sea safari, and one landing on the Isle of May, where puffins actually nest.

Of course, it’s about more than just puffins. There are loads of species of seabirds that you can see from the Scottish Seabird centre, including the world’s largest colony of northern gannets. And seabirds aren’t all – you might even be lucky enough to spot seals or even dolphins!

In this post, I’ll share our experiences of visiting the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick. I’m also going to share some tips on when is the best time of year to visit, what to expect, how to get to the Scottish Seabird Center, tips for photography and other gear you might consider bringing, and more. Let’s get started!

Our Visits to the Scottish Seabird Centre

The rib three islands seabird safari from the scottish seabird centre.

We have done two visits to the Scottish Seabird Center. Our first visit included entry to the seabird centre itself, and then a trip on a fast rigid inflatable boat (RIB) around three islands, which lasted around 75 minutes.

This first trip was at the end of May, which was during puffin breeding season. We had booked an afternoon Three Islands Seabird Safari , but turned up early because we wanted to explore the Seabird Discovery Centre a little bit before hand.

This was an excellent decision, and one we highly recommend to anyone planning a trip on one of the boats. You’ll learn all about the various bird and marine life that lives on the various islands around North Berwick, plus get the opportunity to see it all up close with the interactive live camera feeds.

It was both fun and entertaining, and we think is worth including as part of your visit. There are plenty of kid-friendly exhibits for families.

Of course, the highlight of our day was the seabird safari. So once we had seen everything we wanted to see in the discovery centre, we walked through to the harbour where our boat ride would leave from.

The Scottish Seabird centre offers a range of boat rides , the most popular of which are the Seabird Catamaran Cruise (perfect for all ages) and the Three Islands Seabird Safari RIB trip (the one we did).

They also offer two trips that actually land on some of the islands – the Isle of May and the Bass Rock landing trips, the former being what we did on our second trip (more on this below). These are very popular and book out well in advance, so if those interest you we highly recommend booking as far in advance as you can.

The Three Islands Seabird Safari RIB trip we took was the fast boat safari. This would take us around three islands: the Lamb, Craigleith, and the Bass Rock.

This being a fast boat in Scottish weather with no cover, obviously there was the potential that we might get wet – either from rain, or from sea spray.

Thankfully, the folks at the Scottish Seabird Centre have thought of this issue, and after check-in you are given a full set of top to bottom waterproofs and of course a lifejacket. Then, the only concern was my camera equipment – thankfully my Vanguard Alta Sky 49 has a built-in waterproof cover which solved that problem.

Then it was on to the boat itself. There’s room for 12 passengers on the RIB boat, and you sit on a raised and incredibly padded seat. This doesn’t look like it’s going to be comfortable, particularly in a bouncing boat, but we were hugely impressed by how soft the ride was when sitting on these seats.

There was also space under my seat area for my camera backpack, which was convenient as I put my camera away while the boat was moving between the islands to protect it from the spray. With all the movement of the boat, it was practically impossible to use it at these times.

Finally, with everyone on board and the safety briefing complete, we were on our way. Our boat had two staff members – one person to operate the boat and one guide. Our first stop was the Lamb, a fairly small rock island which, fun fact, is owned by Uri Geller , who believes it is a hiding place for ancient Egyptian treasure.

We didn’t spot any treasure, but we certainly saw plenty of seabirds, including, yes, our first puffins! We also saw a seal basking on a rock, so the trip was off to a positive start.

After circumnavigating the Lamb, we zipped across to our next stop, Craigleith Island. Again, this is a fairly small island, and like all the other islands we visited, is of volcanic origin. This is home to cormorants, shags and guillemots, as well as puffins, and we saw all of these species, including closer views of puffins!

Finally, having slowly circumnavigated Craigleith and taken many photos, we headed to the Bass Rock. This is by far the largest of the islands located off this part of the Scottish coast, and can be seen from miles around.

It’s a very dramatic rock, with walls of basalt rising vertically out of the sea to a height of 107 metres, and is home to the world’s largest population of northern gannets – over 150,000 of them in fact.

As you can imagine, this makes for spectacular viewing, with thousands of birds wheeling overhead and stacked up on the rocks before you. Bass Rock is also home to a lighthouse, which makes for some interesting photographic opportunities. You get close enough to smell the guano! The circuit around Bass Rock is definitely a highlight of the ride!

Once we were done with the Bass Rock, and had taken a great many photos, our boat turned it’s nose for home. Before we returned to North Berwick harbour though, there was one final treat in store. We cruised in along the coast, and were given a fantastic view of Tantallon Castle, whilst being regaled with tales of shipwrecks along the coast. All in all, a fantastic day out, and one we can highly recommend!

The Isle of May Landing Trip from the Scottish Seabird Centre

Our second trip with the Scottish Seabird Centre was an Isle of May landing. This is a half-day trip, which sees you taking a fast boat out to the Isle of May, and then spending some time on the island. Normally this runs April – September.

When we did the trip, the boat was a covered RIB with dual 400hp engines. This meant it went very fast, but we were protected from the spray as the seating area was entirely enclosed. For this reason, we were not issued with full coveralls for this trip, just lifejackets.

The journey to the Isle of May took around half an hour each way, and on our trip we had three and a half hours on the islands itself. Times may vary depending on tide times and sea conditions, but we believe our trip was fairly representative.

On the Isle of May, the main draw during our visit, which was in early July, was the huge puffin colony. There were literally tens of thousands of puffins flying all around us all across the island, and as they had chicks in their nests, the majority of them were flying with food in their mouths.

Which means a lot of photos of puffins!

Of course, puffins weren’t the only draw. The island has a lot of other nesting birds, including Arctic terns, gulls, guillemots and razorbacks, to name but a few. We also saw a seal on the way in to the jetty, which was nice!

Whilst on the island, we were given a welcome talk, and then given the option of taking a guided tour or going off on our own. We chose the former, but we did take advantage of the opening of the lighthouse on the island to visit it.

The day we visited was very hot, luckily we had put suncream on before we visited as there was no real shade on the island with the exception of the lighthouse and the visitor welcome area. This visitor welcome area was also home to some toilets.

We did forget drinking water, which was a huge omission given how hot it was, and the island doesn’t have drinking water available for day visitors. Thankfully one of the passenger boats to the island does have a small shop onboard, from which you can buy snacks and drinks, so we were saved by that.

We’d definitely suggest bringing your own snacks and drinks though. Just be aware there are no litter facilities on the islands, so you must take all your rubbish home with you.

When Can you See Puffins in Scotland?

The puffin breeding season normally runs from April through to August. Eggs are laid on at the end of April or start of May, incubation takes 36-45 days, and fledging occurs 34-60 days after hatching.

So you can definitely see puffins on land from late March through to August in Scotland.

Our favorite time is around June and July though, when the puffins are feeding their chicks and you can get those iconic photos of puffins with their beaks full of fish!

Where Can You See Puffins in Scotland?

Puffins nest in a number of locations around Scotland. We’ve seen them on the Isle of May and Lunga, but you can also see them on Handa Island, Fowlsheugh and Sumburgh Head (Shetland).

Practicalities for Visiting the Scottish Seabird Centre

Scottish Seabird Centre Opening hours and prices

The Discovery Centre at the Scottish Seabird Centre is open year round, with opening hours varying depending on the time of year. There is an admission charge, with concessions available – check their website for the most up to date information on pricing and opening times. There’s a café on site which serves hot and cold food and drinks as well.

Boat trips only operate in the better months between Easter and Autumn, and carry a separate price, although if you book a visit to the Discovery Centre at the same time as booking your boat trip, you’ll get a discount. We’d suggest doing both if you can, as you’ll learn a lot more. For full information on all the boat rides they do, see the website here .

Camera tips

If you’re keen on getting some great photos of seabirds, here are some tips to help you out, covering gear to take and general advice on getting the best shots.

• I took two full frame camera bodies with me on both trips, one equipped with a wide angle lens (17-40mm) and one equipped with a telephoto (70-200mm). For the Isle of May landing, I also took a 2x teleconvertor, giving me an equivalent 140-400mm lens. I certainly telephoto lens more, and just used the wide angle for the shots of the islands and us on the boat, although it did come in useful for capturing the drama that is the Bass Rock up close.
• I would definitely suggest that you take a camera with as long a zoom as you have, because seabirds are quite small and unless you are very lucky, you won’t be closer than 10 – 20 metres to them. Most of the puffin shots in this post are cropped from the original to focus more on the puffin, and having more zoom can save you from losing resolution in crops.
• If you don’t do one of the island landing trips, you’re going to be shooting from a rolling boat. Whilst the boat does slow down and occasionally stop, the sea is always going to be moving, so you’ll want to shoot at a relatively high shutter speed and do your best to hold your camera as still as you can.
• If you are doing a landing trip, you might want to bring a monopod to support your lens. You will also get quite close to the puffins compared to a boat safari, and many people visiting were happy with the photos they were getting from their compact cameras. So definitely don’t leave your camera behind if you have one – you don’t need an ultra long zoom or top of the range SLR camera to get good photos on the Isle of May!
• The sea environment is also, obviously, a rather wet place. I’d highly recommend having a waterproof bag of some description to stow your camera equipment in, and to put it away during the periods of travel between the islands. Even if it’s a calm, dry day, spray can be picked up and get your gear wet. We had a fairly grey day with moderate seas for our RIB safari, and we didn’t get particularly wet, but I was glad to have my camera bag nonetheless.
• Don’t forget, if you’re looking for camera gear recommendations, we have a full list of what we travel with , as well as a guide to choosing a travel camera to help you out!

Getting to the Scottish Seabird Centre

The Scottish Seabird Centre is in North Berwick, which is around 25 miles east of Edinburgh, or 100 miles north of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Obviously you can reach it by car, and there is car parking available in North Berwick for visitors.

It’s also easy to reach by public transport from Edinburgh. The fastest option is the direct train service from Edinburgh to North Berwick with Scotrail, which takes around 35 minutes. There are also a number of buses you can take. In both cases, hold on to your bus or train ticket, as these can be redeemed for discounted admission to the centre if you don’t book in advance.

Further Reading

That pretty much sums up our experience and guide to visiting the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, Scotland. Before we leave you though, we wanted to point you in the direction of some of our other Scotland and UK resources that you might find useful if you’re planning a trip here.

• For Edinburgh, check out our Edinburgh content, including A two day Edinburgh itinerary ,  21 Highlights in Edinburgh , Getting off the beaten path in Edinburgh and a Guide to Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh
• If you head south of Edinburgh, don’t miss our Guide to Touring the Scottish Borders
• For Glasgow, we have A Two Day Glasgow and Loch Lomond itinerary , as well as this detailed Guide to Glasgow Attractions
• Heading further north in Scotland? Check out our definitive guide to the Best Photography Locations on the North Coast 500 , as well as Where to Stay on the North Coast 500
• If you’re visiting London, take a look at our Two Day London Itinerary , our guide to the Best Photography Locations in London and our Tips on Buying and Using the London Pass
• Finally, for UK wide planning, we have both a Two Week UK Itinerary and a One Week UK itinerary to help with your trip!

And that’s it! We hope you enjoyed our post. As always, if you have any questions or comments on any of the above, don’t hesitate to let us know, either from our contact page or in the comments below. Safe travels!

So you know: The Scottish Seabird Centre provided us with complimentary tickets for both the boat ride and our visit to the discovery centre, in exchange for us sharing our thoughts. As always, opinions remain our own – check our out Code of Ethics for more information on how we partner with folks and what that means.

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Henry T. says

22nd February 2023 at 12:37 pm

Hi Laurence & Jess,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience at the Scottish Seabird Centre and especially about the boat rides. I would love to see puffins in Scotland. We are thinking about making a stop here since our time in the Scottish Borders will be taking us near North Berwick.

A few questions: 1) What is the best month(s) to guarantee puffin and gannet sightings in Scotland from the boats? 2) How far in advance do we need to book to guarantee a summer boat booking (we willl be 4 people)? and 3) Any other recommended places to see in this area?

Thanks so much for your review and response!!!

Laurence Norah says

22nd February 2023 at 1:04 pm

It’s our pleasure! If you are going to be near North Berwick then we can definitely recommend the Isle of May boat trip, it’s brilliant. So you can see puffins from around April through to around mid-August (it can vary a bit but that’s the main season). Gannets are around from January through to September, with the main nesting time being April onwards.

I’d probably recommend June or July as my favourite time, especially for the puffins, as that is when they have chicks and the adults will be flying around with fish in their beaks. So you could do the boat tour which tours the islands, or the Isle of May landing. The latter will get you a lot closer to the puffins and is my favourite of the tours.

It’s also very popular, some of the dates for the Isle of May landing are already sold out for June for example. So I would book as soon as you can!

In terms of other things to see in the area, it will depend a bit on your interests but the National Museum of Flight is excellent, and home to one of the world’s few surviving Concorde planes. Glenkinchie Distillery is relatively close as well. There’s also Tantallon Castle, and the National Mining Museum of Scotland is also really good.

I hope this helps, have a wonderful time in Scotland!

Aiman Parween says

3rd September 2017 at 8:15 am

travelling is really a great exercise.

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Scottish Seabird Centre

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The Harbour North Berwick EH39 4SS

T: 01620 890202 W: www.seabird.org

Scottish Seabird Centre

The Scottish Seabird Centre offer a fantastic range of boat trips, from March to October, with something to suit people of all ages. Look out for different wildlife every month from puffins and seals to gannets and dolphins.

These trips are very popular and booking in advance is strongly advised via www.seabird.org

• Three Islands Seabird Seafari – 1 hour 15 minutes, on board the rigid inflatable boat. See The Lamb, Craigleith and the Bass Rock (age 7+)
• Seabird Seafari Cruise – 1 hour, on board the catamaran. See Craigleith and the Bass Rock (all ages)
• Isle of May Landing – approx 4 hours, on board the rigid inflatable boat (age 7+)
• Bass Rock Landing – approx 5 hours, travelling via fishing boat (age 8+)
• Forth Ferry – approx 45 minutes each way. Departures from North Berwick and Anstruther on board the catamaran (all ages)

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Boat trip was wonderful - Scottish Seabird Centre

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My partner and I joined a trip to Bass Rock today. Our guide provided informed and interesting... read more

I was worried about going on the Sea Safari 3 I stands trip at North Berwick. Well it was just... read more

Boat trip was wonderful

Took the one hour seafari trip. Was wonderful? Saw lots of birds and a few seals. Puffins no longer nesting so did not see these but very good trip.

What a waste of money! For £8.95 you get some stuffed birds, a few interactive displays which don't work and some rude members of staff. Don't be fooled by the name the only birds you get to see are of the soft toy variety. It costs £22 to go on a boat which seemed insulting after the debasing experience we had. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

The Centre allows visitors to use the latest technology to zoom in on seabirds and other amazing local wildlife in their natural habitat without disturbing them. Using our interactive remote viewing cameras, visitors can see wildlife close up. As a conservation and education charity, we focus on sustainable wildlife watching. It is our policy not to keep live seabirds within the Centre. We are a five star visitor attraction and all our volunteers and staff are trained and are committed to delivering excellent customer care for our visitors. We would be keen to hear any specific feedback on your visit and would be delighted to hear from you on [email protected] It is unfortunate that you did not take the opportunity to try one of our popular Seabird Cruises to experience the world’s largest single island gannet colony on the Bass Rock (full adult price: £16).

This little building is full of surprises - cafe with good hot & cold food at very reasonable prices. Go out onto the verandah and view Bass Rock and watch the birds on the water. Gift shop full of unusual and useable gifts. Or go into the experience to see the birds in their daily life or take a boat trip....you often see seals in the water and Bass Rock and Craigleith are fascinating.

A great place to visit with grandchildren. The downstairs area often has craft activities, there are interactive areas, the cameras are fascinating all year round and the cafe has a wide range of reasonably priced food, and is child friendly. Nice things in the gift shop too. Our membership has been well worth it as we make a lot of visits now.

Bass Rock, small island located off North Berwick, about an hour drive outside Edinburgh, is a magnificent "must see" for any bird lover. During the early summer, it's home to an enormous gannet colony. You'll also see puffins, razorbills, gillemots, fulmars, and a variety of other shore birds. You can take a guided boat ride out to Bass Rock and can probably find out about the tours available through the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick -- assuming they don't offer a tour themselves.

I have visited the Scottish Seabird Centre a couple of times and although there is plenty to do, especially if you like sea birds, the most thrilling thing was the boat trip on the Seafari Explorer out to the islands of Craigleith and the Bass Rock. I had thought that I might be a bit bored but the boat trip itself was really good fun, not only for me, but for my young son. The sight of all those gannets on the Bass Rock was spectacular, with them swooping and circling overhead. We saw a few of the young birds without flight feathers and although the smell from the island was pretty horrible it was not as bad as I had thought. After seeing the Bass Rock from shore for so many years it was nice to see it close up. I also have to give the café a thumbs up, especially Helen, who serves the most delicious light lunches and snacks in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. I would recommend the boat trip to anyone planning to visit this attraction but better to book in advance as they can sell out.

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A day out with the scottish seabird centre, i'm off to see the puffins.

North Berwick Boat Trips

After my East Lothian adventures in April, my flirtation with the region continues at pace as I head back to the coast for an expedition with the Scottish Seabird Centre and one of their North Berwick boat trips. Taking to the water, I’m headed to the brilliant nature reserve that is the Isle of May. Hosting countless thousands of seabirds every year, there is one particular species that pulls the punters in with more than any other – the puffin. With an unprecedented opportunity to see them on land – between April and July – this is maybe the finest wildlife experience in this part of the world.

The Isle of May

Doing this weird job of mine, you’d think restricting yourself to a small country would get limiting and you’d find yourself constantly re-visiting places, desperately attempting to wrestle out a new angle to choke out something keyboard worthy. Not so, apparently. I’m constantly amazed by how much Scotland has to offer with endless adventures and diverse experiences ensuring that I’ve never once felt restricted. Never once felt like I’m in a content goldfish bowl. And forever impressed with the opportunities to broaden my horizons. When I was invited to the Isle of May last autumn at a conference, it was one of those fabulous moments when I realised a completely new adventure awaited. Aside from a vague and distant childhood trip, I’ve never been able to experience this place to a level that would do it justice. It’s about time.

With the spring sun beaming down, the speedy boat journey from North Berwick flies in as distant views over the east coastline, Fife and the Forth islands tease an increasingly excited group. Just a mile long, the Isle of May holds that ideal appeal of being entirely navigable on foot at a leisurely pace, and we were given around two and a half hours ashore. Under the expert guidance of James from the Seabird Centre as our guide and with the support of Scottish Natural Heritage staff on the island, there is the flexibility to approach the day trip in whatever way suits you best. My fiercely independent side sees me tearing off to explore at my own pace, but you are equally welcome to wander with the guides and benefit from their vast knowledge.

While the puffins – you may never have a better chance to see these little guys than here – like to burrow on land to nest, they are best seen on the cliffs around the island’s perimeter. Scores of them dance around off-shore, bobble about on the rock-faces and generally compete to be the cutest things imaginable for the lovestruck visitors. I’m amazed to learn that these surprisingly tiny fellas spend so much of their time out at sea, braving the elements, and that this 3-month window is merely a resting place in their relentlessly transient lives. While they are undoubtedly the star of the show, you’ll also likely encounter kittiwakes, guillemots, shags and razorbills. Bring a packed lunch, your best camera and binoculars if you have them.

The astonishingly relaxed pace on this island is testament to the care taken by the staff. The birds are treated with the utmost respect and the very limited evidence of manmade activity does wonders for the blood pressure. The 12 th Century ruin of St Adrian’s Chapel in the centre of the Isle even adds an historic appeal to a place that has a similar spiritual allure to Iona . While many have scoffed at the comparison of nearby Inchcolm Island as the ‘Iona of the East’, there’s no denying the odd presence that brings up nostalgic memories for any who will have visited the Hebridean gem. Boarding the return vessel is a reluctant task as the clamour of reality awaits, but with one slight detour on the way….

The Bass Rock

Never has there been such a contrasting feeling between islands. Especially given the proximity between the Isle of May and the inimitable titan that is the Bass Rock, the difference in atmosphere and vibe could not be more stark. While still very much basking in the grab-a-beer-dude sense of tranquillity from May, being plunged into the dynamic pantomime of The Rock was an exhilarating shock. Thousands upon thousands of gannets make this there home and, in truly dramatic fashion, encircle and consume the island in their droves. Aside from the unsettling terror that our boat was imminently to be subject to an unwelcome blitz from above, the sheer awe of this mass all around you is genuinely humbling.

An off-shore icon of the Firth of Forth, forever staring dominantly back at East Lothian , it’s a natural wonder that all visitors to the region will know well. It’s also extremely popular as one of the seperate North Berwick boat trips, offering landing opportunities on the island. The biggest Northern gannet colony of them all, it can host up to 150,000 of these guys in peak season and The Rock gleams as the brilliantly white gannet masses take over. Shags, guillemots, razorbills and even seals can join them on occasion. And it’s not without its share of historical intrigue either. With its own ruined castle and status as a dreaded 15 th Century island prison, its appeal stretches wider than birdwatching. A totally different perspective of Tantallon Castle, one of Scotland’s finest , on the mainland completes an unforgettable scene.

As we continue our homeward journey, I glimpse back at the receding shape. Sat there in St Kilda-like fashion, it is both beautiful and dread-inducing in equal measure. I can say with happy certainty, it’s not the last we’ll be seeing of each other.

I was invited as guest to experience the Isle of May and Bass Rock by the Scottish Seabird Centre on this North Berwick boat trip. Non-branded photos courtesy of the Seabird Centre, taken by Phil Wilkinson. These guys are long-established as one of the leading tourism attractions in Scotland, and with good reason. The above review is an honest account of my experience on the day and, based on all of my experiences with them in the past, I’d have absolutely no hesitation in heartily endorsing them to anyone. Fabulous guides, first rate facilities and a highly considerate approach to both their customers and their key winged allies, this is a first class day out for all.

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Wildlife Boat Trip in North Berwick

Calling all bird watchers! Don’t miss out on the wildlife boat tours in North Berwick! These fantastic tours are a great way to see the amazing sea birds and wildlife from all the small islands around North Berwick. Enjoy the sea breeze from some of the most gorgeous beaches in all of Scotland and see some undeniably unique birds with guides to help point them out and make sure you don’t miss a thing. Offering five different wildlife boat trip packages, The Scottish Seabird Centre allows you to customise your experience based on your interest and company. Take a break at the on-site café before or after your trip and enjoy a wee browse of the gift shop full of sustainable gifts for you or your loved ones. 

Where can I find the Scottish Seabird Centre?

If you would rather stay on land and enjoy seeing an exhibition, Scottish Seabird Centre has got you covered. For £11. 95 you can walk around a curated learning centre of wildlife species such as puffins, guillemots, razorbills and more. Rich adventures await you at Wildlife Boat Trip in North Berwick so, make sure not to miss it out!

• Seabird Catamaran Cruise – 1-hour trip around Craigleith & Bass Rock Island, Adults – £26, Children (4 to 16) – £10
• Gannet Diving Photography trips – 2 hours trip around the islands, Adults only – £95
• Three Islands Seabird Safari – 1.15-hour trip around Lamb, Craigleith and Bass Rock Island, Adults – £32, Children (over 7) – £22
• Bass Rock Landing – walk around the largest colony of Northern gannets, Adults (over 16) – £135 (landing fee included)
• Isle of May Boat Trip – 4 hour trip with 2.5 hours on land to explore, Adults – £50, Children (over 7) – £42
• See 15000 nesting puffins and 150000 resting gannets
• Private boat tour hire and group bookings are available – check on the website

The Scottish Seabird Centre

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Bass Rock Landing Trip

Specialist photographic half day landing trip on the Bass Rock

To sit within a metre of a gannet. To capture that one image. To catch that moment in time! 

The senses are bombarded, the noise, the distinctive odour, the swooping of overhead of this majestic bird. 3hrs pass in a flash!

This unique exclusive photographic experience is a photographer’s dream.

All trips will depart from North Berwick harbour.

Things to bring:

Food, water, sturdy boots, waterproofs, rucksack, mask and hand gel.

Camera Equipment: 

Please ensure all camera equipment and optics are in dry bags, as conditions can be wet on the boat and island. Please ensure this equipment is all packed away before getting on and off of the vessel.

Please note: 

The Bass Rock surface can be very wet and slippery. Please make sure you wear appropriate clothes to keep warm (dress as if you were hiking all day in different conditions). You must be confident underfoot as the landing can be difficult as there is no pontoon.

There are no toilets on the island.

Please note that we reserve the right to refuse boarding or landing, if our guide and or skipper are concerned about your clothing or level of mobility. This will be assessed at the departure point. We are unable to provide a refund should this situation occur. If you are unsure as to what to wear or your level of mobility, please call our boat office and seek advice BEFORE booking. You may wish to consider one of our alternative non-landing trips should you be unable to experience the Bass Rock Landing trip.

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• Terms and Conditions

Plan your visit

All the information you need for your Seabird Centre visit, opening times, admission prices and how to travel by train, car, bus, bike or on foot.

We are a conservation and education charity in the beautiful coastal town of North Berwick , supported by our award winning visitor experience, including the Green Tourism award. Dive in and explore the wonders of Scotland's seas with us in our interactive Discovery Experience . Soak up the coastal views towards the iconic Bass Rock (home to the largest population of Northern gannets on the planet!) from our Seabird Café , browse the sustainable treats in our gift shop and get up close to the spectacular local wildlife on our seasonal guided wildlife walks or boat trips .

Every time you visit you're supporting our vital marine conservation and education activities, if you'd like to find out about other ways to support our work, please consider a one off donation or become a friend or member of the Scottish Seabird Centre.

Opening Times - all daily

• January* 10:00 - 16:00
• February, March, September and October 10:00 - 17:00
• April - August 10:00 - 18:00
• November - December* 10:00 - 16:00

*Festive Opening Times. Please note the Centre is closed on Christmas Day. We close at 3pm on 24 December and 31 December and open at 11am on the 26th of December and 1st of January.

To ensure you have sufficient time to enjoy your visit the last entry to the Discovery Experience is 1 hour before closing time and final hot food orders are 45 minutes before we close.

Please note that for safety reasons children aged 15 years or under must be accompanied by a responsible person aged 18 or over at all times. Well behaved dogs are welcome in all areas of the Centre please check out our Pooch Policy for more details. Please note dogs must be kept on leads at all times in the Centre.

Our Discovery Experience tickets can be booked in advance online here . Discovery Experience tickets can also be purchased on arrival from our information desk. We will always do our best to accommodate walk-in visitors, provided we have capacity on the day of your visit. If you are visiting during a school holiday or weekend we still recommend advance booking where possible to avoid disappointment.

DISCOVERY EXPERIENCE

Dive in to Scotland’s incredible marine environment with our transformed Discovery Experience. The all-new exhibits, games and upgraded interactive live cameras on the world’s largest Northern gannet colony, the Bass Rock, bring the wonders of Scotland's exceptional marine habitats and wildlife to life. Explore the diverse marine life Scotland's seas support, from our incredible deep sea corals and kelp forests to playful marine mammals and giant seabird cities.

We have implemented a new online booking system with timed slots to visit our Discovery Experience . Booking slots in advance ensures that you will get the time you want for your visit. It also enables us to manage visitor numbers and flow in the Centre, ensuring their is ample space and visitors are able to relax and enjoy the full range of our interactives and exhibits. We can also take bookings at our Information Desk on the day of your visit provided that we have capacity on the day.

Admission tickets or membership

It's free to visit our Seabird Café and gift shop.  If you are likely to visit our Discovery Experience more than once a year we recommend becoming a Seabird Centre member . Membership helps support our vital education and conservation work and you can enjoy free entry and discounts in our giftshop and cafe.

If you are a UK taxpayer and agree to include a voluntary donation of 10% with your entry fee, the Charity may be able to claim an additional 25% on top of your entry and donation from HMRC at no additional cost to you. We hope you'll be a Gift Aid visitor and support the education and conservation work of the charity.

Our admission prices, including a voluntary donation, are: 

Ticket Prices

• Adult £11.95
• Child (3-15) £7.95 (under 3s FREE )
• Concession £9.95 (60+, disabled with ID, student with ID, and YoungScot cardholders)
• Family (2 adults & 2 children) £34.00
• Additional children £7.50
• Members FREE
• Registered carers are FREE

Further information

• As a conservation and education charity we encourage the use of sustainable transport and offer a 20% discount on ticket prices to anyone visiting with a valid (same day) East Coast Buses or Scotrail ticket.
• Concessions: Age 60+, disabled with ID (carers free), student with ID and YoungScot cardholders. For group rates, please contact [email protected].
• We are Blue Peter badge attraction partners and children (age 5 to 15) with a Blue Peter badge will enjoy free entry to the Discovery Experience, with a full paying adult. Blue Peter card should be shown on arrival.
• For safety reasons, children aged 15 years or under must be accompanied by a responsible person aged 18 or over at all times.
• We have hundreds of reviews on TripAdvisor , so check out what some of our other visitors have said.

Things to do nearby

North Berwick is a fantastic seaside town and the region of East Lothian has lots to offer visitors. To find out what else there is to do here and in the local area visit our things to do nearby page.

GETTING HERE

Walking and cycling.

The Scottish Seabird Experience forms part of the John Muir Way . We have bike racks and the North Berwick train is specially equipped with additional bike storage. You can also check out routes within the National Cycle Network to turn your visit into a wider sustianable travel experience.

Fast, 35 minute journey from Edinburgh Waverley. Check train times HERE or by calling +44 (0)8457 550033. Travelling from further afield? Check the Trainline for train and coach travel information.

We offer a 20% discount for the Discovery Experience with a valid train ticket for that day.

The Scottish Seabird Centre is a 15 minute walk from North Berwick train station: this walk is downhill to the Centre and uphill back to the station.

Local taxi companies: Jim's Taxis +44 (0)1620 894900 and A2B Taxis +44 (0)1620 895000.

Transport around East Lothian is provided by East Coast Buses ,  Eve Coaches  and Prentice Coaches.  We offer a 20% discount for the Discovery Experience with a valid East Coast Buses ticket for that day.

Only 25 miles/40kms from the centre of Edinburgh, the Scottish Seabird Centre and North Berwick are signposted from the A1. Get directions from your location here .

Follow the brown tourist signs to the Seabird Centre’s pay-and-display car park (or use EH39 4HN if you need a postcode for the SatNav to find the carpark), we are 5 minutes walk from here. Just head for the sea!

The rates, from 1 April 2019 are:

Up to 1 hour: £3.00; Up to 2 hours: £5.00; Up to 3 hours: £7.00; full day (9am to 6pm): £8.00 and FREE from October to February. Payments can be made by cash or by phone. With phone payments there is no ticket to display. All parking income supports the conservation and education work of our Charity. 

Please note, there is accessible parking for blue badge holders adjacent to the Centre and in the Centre's car park.

Please be aware that in peak summer season parking spaces can be in high demand and it can take a little time to find a spot, please allow ample time in advance of your visit to park and walk to the Centre. This useful website shows all the parking locations in town should our car park be full or you prefer an alternative option.

If you're looking for electric car charging spaces this website can help you locate the closest sites in town.