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Craigleith Island

Lothian, Scotland  >  United Kingdom

A few hundred yards west of the world famous Bass Rock, Craigleith is another rocky island, but is much more low lying than it's more famous sister.

Added* by John Wickenden
Most recent update 21 november 2024

Description

Craigleith Island rises to a height of 48 metres above the Firth of Forth, but it has far fewer Szula than Bass Rock, to the east. Craigleith is the home to Lunda, Kárókatona, Üstökös kárókatona, lumma and Alka , plus numerous seals. It was orginally used as a rabbit warren, to provide rabbits for food. It was also the home to one of Britain's largest Lunda colonies, although these seemed to be in terminal decline until the Scottish Seabird Centre started a project in 2007 to clear Tree Mallow from the island. Lunda numbers have been noted on the rise again in recent years.

Details

Access

Craigleith Island is included in most boat trips to Bass Rock from North Berwick, run by the Scottish Seabird Centre and Sula Boats. The latter company also runs shorter trips to Craigleith only, sold as a Seal Pup spotting trip. No landings are allowed on the island, so sightings will be from a boat only.

Terrain and Habitat

Sea , Canyon/cliff

Conditions

Wet , Rocky , High water possible , Hilly , Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Summer

Best time to visit

Spring

Difficulty walking trail

Accessible by

Boat

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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