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Outing to:
Isle of May Friday 30th May 2025 Outing Leader: Donald Wilson Note: please pre-book your seat on the boat and let our outing leader know you are joining the outing (see below) |
 Puffin © Ania Owsianka
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PRICE: Boat tickets are £40 (adult) and £35 (concession).
TIME: 14:00 - 20:00 (approx.) for the boat trip, plus travel to Anstruther.
We will meet at 14:00 outside the Anstruther Pleasure Cruises office, located on the Middle Pier at Anstruther Harbour (Post Code KY10 3AB, Grid Ref NO568034, what 3 words - mondays.fats.ushering ) in order to check-in for the sailing at 15:00.
For those who wish, there will be an option of meeting earlier and birding along the Fife coast before the boat trip. Details of this will be communicated nearer the time.
VENUES: The Isle of May, which lies five miles off the Fife coast, is a National Nature Reserve. The trip on the May Princess lasts 4.5 to 5 hours. This includes 2.5 to 3 hours ashore and a circumnavigation of the island by boat to enjoy the spectacular scenery and wildlife from the sea. The time of sailing is determined by the tides. With this afternoon departure we will have low evening light towards the end of the trip, which should be good for photography. (The time of sunset is 21:50).
BOOKING: If you wish to go on this outing, please book your own seat on the May Princess online at www.isleofmayferry.com. Then contact Donald Wilson to say that you are joining the trip ([email protected] or 07941 912506). Early booking is advised.
BIRDS WE HOPE TO SEE: Up to 100,000 Puffins nest on the island. There are large colonies of Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Shags, and smaller colonies of Common and Arctic Terns. An easterly wind may bring in a scarce migrant.
TRAVELLING:
By car: Anstruther is about two hours’ drive from Glasgow. Please contact Donald Wilson to arrange car-sharing and lifts. If you can offer a lift, or would like a lift, please give Donald Wilson (details above) your contact details and say where you live.
Public Transport: Sorry, public transport is not appropriate for this trip but do contact Donald Wilson (details above) who is collecting names from those who can offer a lift to Anstruther.
TERRAIN: Embarking and disembarking requires walking on gangways and steps. The paths on the island are mostly level with some steep sections.
OPTICS: Binoculars are essential, a telescope is optional.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Sturdy footwear, warm, waterproof clothing and a sunhat. It is always colder at sea than on the land. It is advisable to check the weather forecast beforehand.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: There are toilets on the boat and at the visitor centre on the island. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking medication to prevent it.
NB: This outing may be cancelled by Anstruther Pleasure Cruises due to adverse weather. In the event of cancellation, the ticket price will be refunded. This happened on 30th May 2024, but we hope for better luck this year.
The outing will be led by Donald Wilson.