Record number of visitors for Isle of May

The island celebrates its 60th year as an NNR this year. Staff from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), which owns and manages the island, put on a number of popular events, including a seabird weekend, family days and a seal weekend.

As in previous years, the island took part in Fife Council’s Doors Open Days, with the main buildings being open to the public, including Scotland’s oldest lighthouse, and the Main Lighthouse which celebrated its 200th anniversary this year.

On display in the Main Lighthouse was a collection of artwork depicting the wildlife of the ‘May’ by renowned artists Derek Robertson, Darren Woodhead and Keith Brockie.

A photography competition also proved popular, with nearly 70 entries, the winners of which will be announced in November.

David Steel, SNH reserve manager, said:

"We saw the end of our visitor season on October 2, the same weekend as our seal event. By the end of the day, we’d had over 12,000 visitors since we opened for business in spring. This is a record number for a summer season, and we’re so glad that this many people have come to enjoy the wonderful wildlife and history that the reserve has to offer.

“If you missed out this year, look out for our calendar of events for 2017 and make sure you book a place on a boat!”

David writes a blog about the island, its wildlife and what it’s like to live there. It had over 65,000 hits last year and has no doubt played a part in encouraging visitors. https://isleofmaynnr.wordpress.com

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. The May was also the site of Scotland's very first lighthouse, built in 1636, while the current, castle-like lighthouse was designed by the engineer Robert Stevenson.

ENDS

Media queries - For more information, contact SNH press & public relations officer, Vicki Mowat, on 0131 316 2659 or vicki.mowat@snh.gov.uk or the main SNH press office on 01463 725 022.