Scotland is fortunate to receive visitors from far and wide but few travellers face as challenging a trip as the hordes of seabirds that descend on our coastlines year on year. From our 5-star, award-winning Centre in North Berwick, you'll get a completely different perspective on these fascinating adventurers in their natural habitat.
Perfect for ornithologists, visitors can expect to seasonally spot gannets, kittiwakes, guillemots and puffins and don't be surprised to get a good look at passing seals as well. There's different wildlife to see throughout the year and at different stages of the breeding season, we are always excited to welcome new and returning guest residents! The Discovery Centre team will take you through key things to look out for during your visit and there's also a Wildlife Theatre, 3D TV, fish tanks plus a Kids' Corner and Kids' Zone. With awards for sustainable tourism and conservation a constant priority, we strive to provide an inobtrusive but entirely authentic look at these incredible creatures.
You can also visit our Gift Shop and the Seabird Cafe which has East Lothian's only seaside sundeck for views over North Berwick's beautiful beach and coastline.
While the Centre provides the live opportunity to spy on our winged visitors via remote control cameras situated on the outlying islands, you can also jump aboard a boat and get whisked out to the islands themselves for a closer view. Great for families is the Seabird Catamaran Cruise which takes in the islands of Craigleith and the Bass Rock in an hour-long trip, and for those over age 7 there's also a rigid inflatable boat which travels to the Bass Rock at speed. There is something truly enticing and intriguing about the Bass Rock which dominates this stretch of our east coast and is a seasonal home to the world's largest colony of Northern gannets. We are delighted that it has been the BBC Countryfile Magazine's Nature Reserve of the Year (for two years running)! We also run a range of seasonal boat trips including to the spectacular Isle of May National Nature Reserve - which has the largest puffin colony on Britains east coast. Whether looking for a relaxing wet weather activity or for an adventure on the waves, The Scottish Seabird Centre has something for everyone.
