Scotland’s iconic seabird sanctuaries saved for future generations to come

In the Firth of Forth, it is a time of new beginnings. As breeding season peaks for Bass Rock’s around 100,000 strong gannet population and neighbouring Craigleith’s 10,000 puffins, a new chapter for the islands and its feathered residents has begun.

Thanks to £586,000 funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Bass Rock and Craigleith islands have been acquired by RSPB Scotland from the Dalrymple family, including funds for the most immediate maintenance needs. This will bring the islands into charitable ownership for the first time in 320 years and ensure nature is at the heart of their futures for generations to come.

Bringing the islands into RSPB Scotland stewardship comes at a crucial time. More than 70% of Scotland’s seabirds are in decline and facing unprecedented threats from climate change, food scarcity, invasive species and the impact of human activity. On Bass Rock and Craigleith, the spread of invasive tree mallow and the spread of Avian Flu (HPAI) in 2022 made a significant impact on the gannet populations.

In partnership with the Scottish Seabird Centre, RSPB Scotland has ambitious plans to save, safeguard and celebrate the natural heritage and history of the islands. The future plans are supported by £372,000 of development funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund with the potential to unlock a further £589,000 of money raised by National Lottery players. Plans include an immersive new viewing theatre in the Scottish Seabird Centre, inclusive boat trips and community outreach.

Simon Thurley, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “As Chair of both the National Heritage Memorial Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, I am delighted to announce these substantial grants to secure the future of Bass Rock, Craigleith and the seabirds and marine life that call them home.

“For the Memorial Fund, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure the islands for the public and ensure that, with RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Seabird Centre at the helm, their role as seabird sanctuaries is protected for the future.

“For the Heritage Fund, this project is a fantastic example of our vision for supporting nature’s recovery and enabling people to connect positively with the world around them. Thanks to National Lottery players, there are exciting opportunities ahead for conservationists, birdwatchers and those who are yet to fall in love with the islands.

“While the Memorial Fund and the Heritage Fund are distinct, both share a commitment to securing the future of our heritage, and this package of support demonstrates how effectively we can combine their strengths to achieve this.”

RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Seabird Centre will deliver a crucial coordinated conservation plan across both islands, carrying out monitoring and research and working with volunteers to help species and habitats survive and thrive. The partnership will advocate for Scotland’s seabirds, building a greater understanding of their needs and challenges and aiming to increase support and investment for seabird conservation and Scotland’s marine environment.

Strengthening public connection to Bass Rock, Craigleith and its species are integral to their future. A 360-degree viewing theatre will be built in the Scottish Seabird Centre, enabling people to watch the puffins, gannets and other marine species in real time without disturbing their habitats. This will be welcome news for birdwatchers, whose numbers have increased by 47% overall since 2018 and by 1,088% for 16 to 29 year olds, according to a report published by RSPB.

Future engagement work will include inclusive boat trips, school workshops and compiling community memories of the islands which are an imposing and iconic part of the Firth of Forth seascape, not just for their role as seabird strongholds but for their rich histories and their depictions in art and literature.

Anne McCall, Director, RSPB Scotland said: “We’re thrilled to be taking on stewardship of Bass Rock and Craigleith, expanding the RSPB nature reserve network around the Firth of Forth thanks to the National Heritage Memorial Fund and National Lottery Heritage Fund. With the pressures facing Scotland’s seabirds intensifying, we have a responsibility to act. This partnership gives us the opportunity to drive forward seabird recovery at this crucial time.

“Collaboration is essential to protect wildlife and these incredible places they call home. Working with the Scottish Seabird Centre, we will ensure these extraordinary islands are safeguarded for generations to come. Through management, research, community engagement and advocacy, we can secure a brighter future for species like Puffins and Gannets.

“By working together, the two charities aim to secure a more resilient future for the islands for the benefit of wildlife and the people who love and care for them.”

Harry Huyton, CEO, Scottish Seabird Centre said: “Bass Rock and Craigleith are among the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders, and their integration into the RSPB’s nature reserve network is a historic day for Scottish nature. This ambitious partnership between the Scottish Seabird Centre and the RSPB builds on years of dedicated stewardship, where our volunteers, local communities, and the Dalrymple family have worked tirelessly to restore these islands—most notably quadrupling Craigleith’s puffin population despite national declines.

“Together with RSPB Scotland, we will ensure these vital sanctuaries are conserved forever, deepen public connection to these incredible places, and inspire collective action to protect Scotland’s iconic seabirds for generations to come. Thanks to National Lottery players for helping making all of this possible.”

Sir Hew Dalrymple, former landowner, said: “The Dalrymple family have been fortunate to have been custodians of the Bass for over three hundred years. During my lifetime the Gannet population has quadrupled. However, it is clear the seabird colonies of the Forth now face unprecedented challenges, most notably from wind turbines, pollution, over-fishing and disease. I believe that RSPB Scotland is the organisation best equipped to take up this challenge on their behalf, so I am delighted to pass on to them stewardship of Craigleith and the Bass.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

History of Bass Rock

Bass Rock was home to Saint Baldred, an early Christian hermit who settled there in around 600 AD, the remains of a chapel dedicated to him still exist. Legend has it that the island was granted to the Lauder family by King Malcolm III in the 11th century. The Lauders held the island for nearly six centuries, during which it became a site of royal visits, including those from King James IV and King James VI. The remains of the 15th century castle exist today which is a Scheduled Monument.

In the 17th century Bass Rock was transformed into a prison, often referred to as Scotland's Alcatraz. It housed political prisoners and was a significant site during turbulent times in Scottish history.

In 1706, the Dalrymple family acquired Bass Rock. Under their stewardship, the lighthouse was built in 1902 by David Alan Stevenson and has helped ships navigate the Firth of Forth ever since. The engineer’s cousin and renowned author, Robert Louis Stevenson, wrote of the Bass Rock in his 1893 novel, Catriona. The islands have also been depicted by artists including JMW Turner in his painting ‘The Bass Rock’ c.1824.

About the National Heritage Memorial Fund 

Set up in 1980 as a fund of last resort, for over 40 years the Memorial Fund has invested more than £430m to save nearly 1,500 examples of the most outstanding parts of UK heritage to create a timeless and publicly accessible collection.

As a funder of last resort, the National Heritage Memorial Fund exists to save the UK’s most exceptional heritage. We’re building a public collection that serves as a memorial to those who have given their lives for the UK and belongs to everyone. Our work is funded by the UK government and together we’ve awarded grants to some of our most loved heritage. From paintings, archives and industrial landscapes to historic artefacts, houses and ships – we save heritage that otherwise could be lost forever. This includes Joshua Reynolds’ Portrait of Mai, Skokholm Island, George Orwell’s early archive, the mill village of New Lanark and a group of seven historic motorcycles that represent Northern Ireland’s road racing tradition.  

memorialfund.org.uk  

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. 

Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.

heritagefund.org.uk

About the RSPB

The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, protecting habitats, saving species, and helping to end the nature and climate emergency. For over a century we’ve acted for nature through practical conservation and powerful partnerships, campaigning and influence, and inspiring and empowering millions of people, including almost 1.2 million members. Our network of over 200 nature reserves sits at the heart of our world leading science and conservation delivery. Nature is in crisis, but together we can save it.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity. In England and Wales, no: 207076. In Scotland, no: SC037654. http://www.rspb.org.uk

About the Scottish Seabird Centre

The Scottish Seabird Centre is an award-winning marine conservation and education charity based in the coastal town of North Berwick, overlooking the Bass Rock gannet colony. They’ve been connecting people with this incredible seabird colony and the amazing wildlife that Scotland’s sea’s support for over 25 years. Their mission is to save seabirds and restore Scotland’s seas through conservation projects, learning programmes and unforgettable wildlife experiences. The Charity has led a range of high-profile conservation and education projects including the SOS Puffin initiative in the Firth of Forth.

For more information on the Scottish Seabird Centre visit https://www.seabird.org/about-us

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