Scottish Seabird Centre

Scotland’s wildlife offers one of the most extensive selections for visitors to see in Europe, from adorable puffins, Grouses, Kittiwakes, and many more. The Scottish Seabirds Centre offers guests the chance to learn more about the plethora of seabirds that call Scotland their home and the conservation efforts their organization undergoes to maintain the diversity of wildlife.

If you happen to be in North Berwick and want to enjoy a fun activity centre with your friends and family, then you can’t go wrong with taking them to the Scottish Seabird Centre. Let’s cover all the best attractions you can see at the Scottish Seabird Centre the next time you visit North Berwick and the Isle of May National Nature Reserve.

About the Scottish Seabird Centre

A short 30-minute drive out of Edinburgh, the Scottish seabird centre is a fantastic nature wildlife centre on the east coast of North Berwick. Situated near this beautiful coastal town, the Scottish Seabird Centre attractions thousands of visitors each year and gives guests the opportunity to

The Scottish Seabird Centre offers guests free parking outside the centre, with disability access and baby changing stations also available if needed. The centre is priced based on how long you plan to stay, with an hour only costing £3.00 for up to 1 hour or £8 for the entire day (other price options are available). The Centre is free to visit during October and February, and you can also receive a discount on the Discovery Centre if you have if you bring a valid train ticket.

The Scottish Seabird Centre is a fantastic place to bring your friends and family as you explore North Berwick and beyond.

Things to Do at the Scottish Seabird Centre

Let’s tackle the top things to do at the Scottish Seabird Centre the next time you visit this stellar attraction within North Berwick.

Explore the Discovery Centre

The Discovery Centre is the best place to learn everything you need to know about the birds that populate the Isle of May National Nature Reserve. One of the best features of this centre is the interactive live cameras that give guests a glance at what’s happening at the base rock promontory! Watch as puffins and gannets live from the comfort of the Discovery Centre, and feel free to chat with the volunteers about any questions you have.

The Centre also hosts discovery experience live science shows for schools and children, something you want to take advantage of if you bring children along on your trip.

Take a Guided Boat Trip

What’s better than seeing the puffin colony from the interactive live cameras? Why go to the bass rock and see the seabirds in the flesh, of course! Plenty of boat trips leave the harbour of North Berwick and take you to the Isle of May to see the habitats on the local islands.

Cruise through kelp forests and seaside attractions, keeping your eye out for the sealife below the waves (Minke whales, dolphins, and grey seals can commonly be seen). These are all seasonal boat trips, most of which occur during the busy Spring and Summer seasons when the puffins arrive at the bass rock to breed.

That being said, if you’re in North Berwick on a clear day, heading out on the sea on one of the local fishing boat trips is a splendid way of learning about the wonders hidden from you – especially if you have an informative and exciting guide offering their services.

Grab a Snack at the Cafe

All that learning is sure to get your stomach growling, and there’s no better place to sate your hunger than a trip to the Seabird Café. This cafe is a favourite for guests thanks to the unbelievable views of the Firth of Forth. It’s East Lothian’s only seaside sun deck!

You can easily see the three islands that dot the coast as you eat, including Fidra, Craigleith, and Bass Rock. Other smaller islands dot the coastline, but those three are the most impressive you can see. We recommend trying the Whitebait, the Breaded Scottish Scampi, and the Cullen Skink if you want to try some genuinely Scottish cuisine.

Watch the Seabirds & Mammals

The Scottish Seabird Centre offers an excellent place to see the amazing wildlife, all thanks to their viewing platform that grants unparalleled looks out to the ocean and islands that dot them. This natural environment is best surveyed with binoculars and allows guests to see not only the biggest puffin colony on the Isle of May but also the local wildlife that populate the oceans.

Wildlife like dolphins, whales, and seals can be regularly seen throughout the year, making the panoramic views from the Scottish Seabird Centre much better. If you want to avoid taking one of the landing trips to the Isle of May, the viewpoint at the Centre is the next best thing.

Bring Something Home From The Gift Shop

If you want something to remember the trip by, stop by the centre’s gift shop and grab a present for your friends back home. Not only are the gifts from the gift shop beautifully made and decorated, including books, homeware, arts and craft, and more, but they are also sustainable gifts.

The Scottish Seabird Centre prides itself on having a sustainable ethos for its operations and its products – pollution is not tolerated by both the seabirds and the Seabird Centre.

Events

The Scottish Seabird Centre is brimming with events throughout the year for all ages to enjoy. During the busy Summer, environmentalists and nature enthusiasts come from all over Scotland to share their passion for birdlife and how best to protect it.

From beach cleans to spotting sessions, the Scottish Seabird Centre is a great place to stop by and enjoy throughout the different stages of the year, so don’t miss out on the exciting and fun events they hold – their website is the best place to keep up to date.

The Centre is also an education charity that values all donations and support, so if you want to work for an independent charity, feel free to contact their volunteering programme to get on the island and work with the puffins.

Accommodation

North Berwick is a bustling town and holds plenty of accommodation options for guests to choose from. Not only can guests stay at the homely taverns, inns, and hotels that boast plentiful amenities, but there are self-catering options if you value privacy above all.

Bed and breakfasts are also a popular option for travellers here, and nothing makes starting the day better than a full Scottish or English breakfast and a terrific view out to the rocky promontory that holds hundreds of thousands of puffins and seabirds during the breeding season.