Doors Open on the Isle of May

As part of Fife Council’s Doors Open days, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is opening all of the lighthouses on the island for visitors to explore, as well as other buildings such as the engine room and the keepers’ cottages.

Also on offer during the weekend are guided tours of the ruined monastery by archaeologist Peter Yeoman. Peter will be telling visitors about the importance of the island as one of the earliest Christian places in Scotland.

Lying on Scotland’s doorstep, the Isle of May has been a lighthouse island for more than 350 years, with three lighthouses. This includes Scotland’s oldest lighthouse, the Beacon, which dates from 1636. Since then, the island has developed a lighthouse heritage greater than almost anywhere else in Scotland.

David Steel, reserve manager said, “We’re delighted to be part of Doors Open days again and to give people the chance to see inside our buildings. This year, we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Main Light, built by Robert Stevenson, and owned by the Northern Lighthouse Board. And what better year to celebrate the imposing Main Light than during Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design?”

It’s free to visit the nature reserve, but you must take a boat trip to reach the island. Advance booking is recommended. Sailings are on the privately-run May Princess or Osprey of Anstruther from the Anstruther Harbour or through the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick.

• Anstruther - for tickets and details, see www.isleofmayferry.com (May Princess) or www.isleofmayboattrips.co.uk (RIB Osprey).
  
  
• North Berwick - For tickets and details, book online on the Scottish Seabird Centre website at www.seabird.org or call 01620 890 202.

Known locally as 'The May', this small island sits on the edge of the Firth of Forth. The island's importance for seabirds has drawn scientists to its shores for many years and the May is home to the oldest continuously running bird observatory in the UK. The May is also a regular haunt for grey seals, often seen lounging on the shoreline rocks. This island is a historical gem and it's been a place of pilgrimage for centuries with an early island monastery.

ENDS

MEDIA QUERIES - for more information or picture, contact SNH media & PR officer, Vicki Mowat on vicki.mowat@snh.gov.uk or 0131 316 2659 or the main SNH press office on 01463 725 022.