Visitor Information | Boat Trips Landing on Bass Rock

Bass Rock Landing Trips

Our exclusive landing trips to the Bass Rock are an unforgettable experience. With a highly experienced crew, guests enjoy the amazing spectacle of "chumming" (gannets diving for fish at 60mph (100kmph)) and the awesome spectacle of the Bass Rock gannet colony. Gannets diving around the Bass Rock has been been voted number one in Chris Packham's Nature's Top 40, which you can view here. It's an experience to remember, as you'll see from the guest articles below and appeals to photographers, wildlife enthusiasts or as a special birthday, Christmas or anniversary gift. Gift vouchers can be bought by calling +44 (0)1620 890202.

SAILING DATES 2010 - click here for dates. Landing trips to the Bass Rock are limited and advance booking is advised. Please email info@seabird.org or call +44 (0)1620 890202.

Wildlife Wonder of the World

The largest single island gannet colony in the world, the Bass Rock, in the Firth of Forth, is home to 150,000 Atlantic gannets and is described by Sir David Attenborough as "one of the twelve wildlife wonders of the world". Landing trips are run in partnership with Dunbar based trawler "Fisher Lassie" and promise a "once in a lifetime experience".

GUEST REVIEWS AND PHOTOS

Julie Howden
David Stevenson
Paul Hancock
Photographers on Safari
Photo Answers
Gannet Gallery
Claire Witham
Graham Olley
Robert Lawrence
Beautiful Scotland
Bill Lockhart
Steve Race

FURTHER INFORMATION

What to Expect on a Typical Day

FAQs

Terms and Conditions

What's happening on the Bass Rock

Our Gallery

Film and Television Crews

Useful information

What to expect on a typical day - by guide Maggie Sheddan

Your journey begins in the picturesque fishing town of Dunbar. A ‘lively’ Kittiwake colony has taken over a wall of Dunbar Castle that overlooks the Harbour. Your guide meets you next to the Royal National Lifeboat shop in the harbour. At a steady speed you begin your transfer out to the Bass Rock, which takes approximately one hour. On arrival at the Bass Rock, the skipper, Gordon Easingwood and your guide, Maggie Sheddan, assess the landing stages and confirm if it is safe to land. If it is not safe, the skipper will sail around the Rock and proceed to the gannet feeding "chumming" - this is one of the most memorable sights of the trip where gannets perform their spectacular 100kmph dives next to the boat (Fisher Lassie - a local fishing boat). Please note, you will be refunded with 50% of your trip if we are unable to land, for any reason. For a more in-depth idea of what to expect on your trip, Maggie has written an article of "A Typical Day" - it's worth a read! [Back]

Sailing dates and prices

The Bass Rock Landing Trip costs £98 per person. Members of the Seabird Centre enjoy a 10% discount. Places get booked very quickly, as numbers are limited to 11 people per trip. We can also cater for private groups which costs £150 per hour (minimum charge of £300 plus time on the Bass Rock) and £85 per load of bait for chumming. The price for all trips includes your Bass Rock landing fee and your guide.

Please contact us on info@seabird.org or call +44 (0) 1620 890202 for more information or to book. The following dates have been confirmed. Early booking is strongly recommended as these trips are extremely popular. [Back]

2010

April
Tuesday 6th April	7am-12.30pm	Fully booked
Saturday 24th April	7am-12.30pm	Only 1 space left!
May
Saturday 1st May	7am-12.30pm	Fully booked
Tuesday 4th May	7am-12.30pm	spaces
Tuesday 11th May	7am-12.30pm	Only 3 spaces left!
Thursday 20th May	7am-12.30pm	spaces
Tuesday 25th May	7am-12.30pm	Only 4 spaces left!
June
Tuesday 1st June	7am-12.30pm	Only 4 spaces left!
Saturday 5th June	7am-12.30pm	Fully booked
Saturday 5th June	1pm-6.30pm	Only 2 spaces left!
Tuesday 8th June	7am-12.30pm	Only 3 spaces left!
Friday 11th June	7am-12.30pm	spaces
Tuesday 15th June	7am-12.30pm	Fully booked
Friday 18th June	7am-12.30pm	spaces
Monday 21st June	7am-12.30pm	Fully booked
Tuesday 22nd June	7am-12.30pm	Fully booked
Saturday 26th June	7am-12.30pm	Only 1 space left!
Saturday 26th June	1pm - 6.30pm	Only 1 space left!
Tuesday 29th June	7am-12.30pm	Fully booked
Tuesday 29th June	1pm - 6.30pm	spaces
July
Saturday 3rd July	7am-12.30pm	Fully booked
Saturday 3rd July	1pm - 6.30pm	Fully booked
Tuesday 6th July	7am-12.30pm	Fully booked
Tuesday 6th July	1pm - 6.30pm	spaces
Saturday 10th July	7am-12.30pm	Fully booked
Monday 12th July	1pm - 6.30pm	spaces
Wednesday 14th July	7am-12.30pm	Fully booked
Tuesday 20th July	7am-12.30pm	Only 1 space left!
Tuesday 27th July	7am-12.30pm	Only 4 spaces left!
Saturday 31st July	7am-12.30pm	spaces
August
Tuesday 3rd August	7am-12.30pm	spaces
Saturday 14th August	7am-12.30pm	spaces
Tuesday 17th August	7am-12.30pm	spaces
Saturday 28th August	7am-12.30pm	spaces
Tuesday 31st August	7am-12.30pm	spaces
September
Tuesday 7th September	7am-12.30pm	spaces
Tuesday 21st September	7am-12.30pm	spaces

FAQs

What time do we leave and where do we meet the boat?
The boat will depart from Dunbar Harbour. You must meet your guide at the harbour at 6.45 am (morning trip) or 12.45pm (afternoon trip). Your guide will register your attendance, equip you with a life jacket and conduct a safety briefing. Departure is at 7am or 1pm. The boat cannot wait for latecomers and no refunds will be given for being late or not appearing.
What type of boat will be used?
You will be on a ‘working’ fishing boat. Please note that accessing the boat and the Bass Rock may involve using ladders. It is advisable to bring a waterproof bag to protect your kit. Even when dry and sunny you are strongly advised to have waterproofs to wear on the boat, as spray can be a problem.
How long does the trip take?
The total trip, if landing on the Bass Rock, will take five and a half hours including three hours on the Bass Rock. Chumming lasts for thirty minutes and sailing time is one hour each way. If landing is not possible, the trip time will be reduced to a total of three hours and 50% of the cost will be refunded. If the trip is cancelled, an alternative date will be offered or a full refund will be given.
What is ‘Chumming’?
This is when the skipper of the boat will throw unwanted fish catch off the side of the boat. The gannets will begin to dive just metres from the edge of the boat at around 60mph/100 km per hour. Before the chumming commences, please ensure you have the correct lenses fitted to your cameras, and ensure you have enough cards or films to last the whole of your journey. It is also advisable to have protective covering for your kit.
What happens if the weather is bad?
On your arrival at the Bass Rock the skipper and your guide will assess the weather and landing possibilities. If the boat can go out but cannot land, the skipper will sail around the Rock and proceed to the chumming, and a refund of 50% will be issued. Should the long term forecast be unsuitable or we have insufficient passenger numbers, we will attempt to contact you as early as possible prior to the trip. If we cannot contact you, or if you are unsure whether the trip will go ahead, please contact the Scottish Seabird Centre on 01620 890202 or alternatively your guide Maggie on 07709 505133 out of office hours. If the trip is cancelled, you will be offered an alternative date (weather permitting) or you will be offered a full refund. In 2009, 75% of all our Bass Rock landing trips were able to land successfully.
Is there anywhere to buy food or drink, and are there toilets?
The Bass Rock is a remote island in the Firth of Forth. It can be cold and damp, with wind chill reducing temperature. You are advised to use sun cream, wear warm, waterproof clothing, hat and gloves. It is advisable to bring food, hot drinks, etc. There is a safe area to leave your kit, sit for breaks, etc. Please note: There are no toilet facilities on the Bass Rock.
Can we go anywhere on the Bass Rock for taking photographs?
To ensure the gannets are not disturbed, restrictions apply. You must follow the instructions of your guide at all times. You can go as high as St Baldred’s Chapel where excellent pictures can be taken. Your guide on the trip will be able to advise you of the best areas. Be aware it is an offence to disturb nesting birds. Calm, quiet behaviour is required. The guide will advise you and has authority to ask you to leave if inappropriate behaviour is shown - at all times you are on the Scottish Seabird Centre's cameras, which are broadcast to a worldwide audience.
Is there car parking? There are limited spaces at the Harbour but there is also public parking is available at the Leisure Centre, just a few minutes walk from the Harbour.
Please Note: Your trip may be cancelled due to severe weather conditions or insufficient passengers

Please read Terms and Conditions below:

The Scottish Seabird Centre reserves the right to cancel or change the times of all boat trips.
A refund will be provided should the Scottish Seabird Centre deem it necessary to cancel any boat trip.
No refund will be given to visitors who do not arrive or are late for their booked sailing time.
You may cancel a trip 11 days or more days prior to the trip at no charge. If you cancel 10 - 6 days prior to the trip date, you will incur a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the trip price. You are responsible for paying 100% of the trip price if you cancel 5 days or less prior to the trip dates.
In the event of a trip being cancelled due to bad weather, in the first instance you will be offered an alternative day to sail on.
A boat trip will only sail with a minimum of 8 people.
A contactable number must be given by all passengers should we need to inform you of any changes. If we do not have this information, it is the passenger’s responsibility to contact us to ensure the trip will go ahead.
No photographers will be granted access onto the boat unless they have signed a ‘Waiver of Liability’ form (enclosed), which should be handed to your boat guide prior to departure.
The minimum age for this trip is 7 years old; an adult must accompany children between 7 and 15 years old.
The Scottish Seabird Centre reserves the right to refuse entry onto the boat.
All bookings made and paid for are subject to these terms and conditions.
All sailings and landings on the Bass Rock are made weather permitting.
Full payment must be made at the time of booking.

What's happening on the Bass Rock?

January, February and March

April, May and June

July, August and September

October, November and December

Film and Television Crews

The Seabird Centre is also very experienced in organising trips for television and film crews. We are delighted to organise all aspects of your requirements for filming; from accommodation to working out tide times, co-ordinating trips to the islands and liaising with the owner of the island for permission. Please enquire for rates as they will vary according to requirements. Our experience guide Maggie Sheddan is happy to be available 24 hours for special requirements, such as catching the sunrise on the Bass Rock. Film and television crews we have worked with include BBC Springwatch, Bill Oddie and Simon King "Wild Around Britain", Alan Titchmarsh "The Nature of Britain", Chris Packham "Nature's Calendar" (pictured right) and Bill Bailey "Wild Thing I Love You". [Back]

Our gallery

Visit Our Gallery for a taste of what to expect on a Seabird Centre Photographic Trip. If you have been on one of our trips before, we would be delighted to feature your photographs. Please contact us at info@seabird.org. [Back]

Useful information

Below are some links for planning your journey:

Accommodation