Film and Television Crews

The Seabird Centre is experienced in organising trips for film and television crews and has the exclusive landing rights for the Bass Rock. We work with several boat operators to provide the appropriate transport - from our fast Seabird Seafari RIBs to a fishing trawler. Our experienced guides can help with any aspects; from suggestions for accommodation to working out tide times, co-ordinating trips to islands and liaising with the owners for permission. The Seabird Centre also has cameras located at key locations on the islands and coast to observe the wildlife which can provide recorded footage of broadcast quality and has been used on programmes including Bill Oddie's "Wild Around Britain". We are also members of Wild Scotland and WiSE.

Our very experienced guide, Maggie Sheddan is also happy to be available 24 hours for special requirements, such as catching the sunrise on the Bass Rock. Please enquire about rates, however, as they may vary according to requirements. Film and television crews she has worked with include David Attenbourgh with Sky3D "Flying monsters", BBC Springwatch, Alan Titchmarsh "The Nature of Britain", Chris Packham "Nature's Calendar" and Bill Bailey "Wild Thing I Love You".

The Bass Rock

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 described by Sir David Attenborough as "one of the twelve wildlife wonders of the world". See guest article from a trip earlier this year.

The Firth of Forth is also a hot spot for puffins (March-August) with around 50,000 pairs on the Isle of May, one of the largest colonies in Britain. The islands of Craigleith and Fidra, close to the Seabird Centre, are also important puffin colonies and the Seabird Centre is involved in SOS Puffin, a conservation programme to restore the puffins on these islands - see SOS Puffin for more information. Joining the puffins is a wonderful variety of seabirds; from the penguin-like guillemots huddling along the seacliffs to the graceful terns. Peregrine falcons are also nesting successfully in the area. Seals are seen throughout the year and during the winter haul up to pup on the Isle of May, the largest grey seal colony on the East Coast of Britain. There are also occasional sightings of cetaceans, including bottlenose dolphins, Risso's dolphins, porpoises and whales including minke, pilot, fin and humpback.

How We Can Help? - by guide Maggie Sheddan

For an idea of what you might encounter on the trips to the islands, have a look at Maggie's article of "A Typical Day" - it's worth a read!

Q. Can we go anywhere on the Bass Rock for taking photographs?
A. The gannet colony is growing each year and therefore restrictions apply. You can go as high as St Baldred’s Chapel where excellent pictures can be taken. The guide on the trip will be able to advise of the best vantage points. Be aware it is an offence to disturb nesting birds. Calm, quiet behaviour is expected.

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.