The last few months have been a bit depressing – grey skies and rain interspersed with the occasional day of glorious sunshine. Fortunately things brightened up a bit last week. I’ve realised I’ve wasted too much time waiting for summer to arrive – it probably never will. I need to crack on and have some fun all the same. With this in mind, I booked myself on a boat trip to the Isle of May.
For someone who lives on the Black Isle, I seem to spend a lot of time in Fife! I had a good drive across the county and caught my first glimpse of the Isle of May on the approach to Pittenweem. The weather was changeable – sunshine and showers – but thankfully the visibility was good. The Isle of May is only five miles off Fife Ness but I hardly saw it when I walked the Fife Coastal Path last year due to the haar. It’s crazy to think that in all my years of visiting the East Neuk, I’d never previously been out to the May.
I arrived in Anstruther two hours before the boat was due to leave – plenty of time to grab a hot chocolate, organise my gear and stand at the front of the queue in order to nab what looked to be the best seat on the ferry! There are two boats servicing the Isle of May from Anstruther – the Osprey (a high speed rigid inflatable boat (RIB)) and the May Princess (a small ferry which can carry up to 100 passengers). I love the thrill of travelling by RIB but the Osprey was fully booked. Instead, I’d reserved a place on the May Princess and enjoyed a more sedate crossing, soaking up the surroundings from the upper deck. I looked out for minke whales (no joy but there’s always a next time) and focused my binoculars on gannets over from the Bass Rock on the other side of the Forth estuary.
Upon reaching the Isle of May, the ferry hugged the north shore of the island, giving the passengers good views of a colony of grey seals before berthing at the jetty. Before I even set foot on dry land, I was struck by the sheer number of seabirds – Arctic tern, kittiwake, puffin, razorbill, guillemot, shag, cormorant and oystercatcher – and this was a couple of months after the best time to see them. I’d love to return to the island some September for Doors Open Day, in order to gain access to the lighthouse buildings, but it would be a completely different experience in the absence of the summer avian visitors.
The ferry passengers descended on the island and were welcomed and briefed by Scottish Natural Heritage staff on the dos and don’ts on this National Nature Reserve. I had the best part of three hours to explore and I planned a circuit to take in the main sights. After a quick trip to the visitor centre, I headed to Lady’s Bed on the island’s east side. I was rewarded with close-range views of shags, kittiwakes and puffins, my personal favourite.
From Lady’s Bed, I walked past a disused fog horn (the South Horn) on my way to Pilgrim’s Haven, a bay which is home to one of the Scottish Seabird Centre’s webcams. With the cliffs and the seabirds, I felt as though I could have been over on the Hebrides, say on the Shiants. Only the familiar shapes of the Bass Rock, North Berwick Law, the Pentland Hills and Largo Law on the horizon reminded me that I was on an island in the Forth and only a stone’s throw from the Fife coast.
The oldest lighthouse in Scotland, the Beacon, was lit on the Isle of May in 1636. It comprised a coal fire contained in a metal basket mounted on a stone tower. The remains are still standing today but would have been three times higher back in the seventeenth century. The Beacon is somewhat overshadowed by Robert Stevenson’s Main Light which was built in 1816 and automated in 1989.
A short walk to the north west of the Main Light took me to the Low Light, a separate lighthouse dating from 1844. By lining up the beams from the these two lighthouses, sailors could navigate around the treacherous North Carr Rock seven miles off the Isle of May. The North Carr Lightship and Fife Ness Lighthouse made the Low Light redundant in 1887. It is now a bird observatory used by visiting ornithologists. It must be fantastic to stay here and explore the island at dusk and dawn in the absence of day trippers.
The Isle of May is a small island (approximately 1.8km long and less than 0.5km wide) but I quickly ran out of time to explore it all. I ended up jogging around with ~10kg of camera gear on my back (resulting in some complaints from my leg muscles over the following couple of days!). I’ll need to return to the May in order to visit the spots I didn’t make it to and to re-visit others. The whole experience was so rewarding that I can imagine this becoming an annual pilgrimage. All too soon, it was time to re-trace my steps to the jetty for the return sailing to Anstruther via the impressive cliffs, caves and sea stack on the south side of the island. I had hoped to capture some images of these features from the boat but I failed to get the necessary seat on the starboard side. One more thing to tick off the list next time!
Have you been to the Isle of May? If so, what did you enjoy the most? Or are you planning a trip there? Please leave a comment below!
Lovely blog! I love Arctic Terns.
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. The Arctic Terns certainly provided a memorable welcome to the Isle of May and I’m looking forward to returning again next year.
I hope to see them someday! Thank you for visiting. See you around.
Same to you – thanks for dropping by and commenting! I’m sure I’m going to enjoy your blog too – lovely images and poetry. I hope you have a very Happy New Year when the time comes!
You say nice things Karen. I feel the same about your blog. Happy New Year to you too! x
Loved your blog and my favorite birds are the puffins too! So cute!
Hi Jody! Thanks for the visit and so glad you like my poems.
Thank you Jody! Puffins are the best – they’re so comical on land but quite graceful underwater. I’m hoping to capture some more seabird photos on the Isle of May this year.
Super cool video 🙂 and amazing clicks with a good narration, keep clicking and smiling Karen 🙂
Josh
Thanks Josh! I need to start capturing more videos when I’m out and about as I think it adds an extra dimension to the blog. I’m looking forward to returning to the Isle of May again this summer! 🙂
video blogging! am super excited! all the best 🙂
fantastic pics 🙂
Thanks! I’m looking forward to returning to the Isle of May in the breeding bird season this year to capture some more photographs and am hoping to get inside the lighthouse too! 🙂
ohh that sounds amazing, just to be around all the lovely scenery and the birds. And I’m sure you will capture some brilliant pictures !
Thanks! I’ll be sure to post some more photographs if I have a successful trip again this year.
Amazing Island 🙂
Yes, it’s very special! I’m looking forward to returning again this year.
This post makes me want to visit your neck of the woods. Beautiful. Thank you for the follow.
Thank you. I hope you manage to visit Scotland sometime. It’s a small country but there are so many beautiful sights to see!
Lovely pictures. If I ever go to Scotland it sounds like it would make for a wonderful day trip 🙂
Thank you! It was an excellent day trip and one that I am looking forward to repeating this year. My only regret is that I didn’t venture out to the Isle of May years ago!
Thank you for sharing your trip!
Thank you for commenting, Becky! It’s a pleasure to be able to share my experiences. I want people to enjoy the photographs and writing but also feel inspired to head outdoors and explore.
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very nice post. Hugs, Barbara
Thanks very much, Barbara – much appreciated! I will enjoy checking out your blog too.
I live this blog check out mine! I’m new to wordpress
Thank you! Good luck with your new blog.
Sooo nice!
Thanks very much!
love this!
Thank you! Good luck with your new column.
I love the video very good
Thank you. I must take my camcorder with me more often when I’m out and about with my camera!
yes , I totally agree
Awesome! I feel joy looking this pics.
Thanks! The photos bring back happy memories for me. I’m glad you’re enjoying them too.
Love those puffins!
Me too! I could watch them all day.
Very enticing – thank you!
Thanks for checking out my blog. The Isle of May lies a short distance off the Fife coast and so I’ve always found it quite enticing (but more so now that I have experienced it first hand and want to return!).
very beautyful, love Island ^^
Thank you! Yes, it’s a special place. The Isle of May is close to the mainland but has a real ‘island feel’.
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Thanks very much!
Reblogged this on Efisiworld.com.
Thank you – much appreciated!
Beautiful
Thank you! I just love visiting islands and it’s nice to look back on one of the best adventures I had last year. Good luck with your new blog!
wow thatz really great.. 🙂
Thank you! It was a really special day out. 🙂
Nice article! Loved the pictures 🙂
Thank you Tess! I hope the weather’s on my side again for another trip this year with some more photographs. 🙂
Thanks Tess. I’m glad you enjoyed it! I was really pleased to capture a photograph of the Puffins. 🙂
Isn’t it great how things work out; when it is not planned and not stuck to a strict schedule. Just follow your instinct.
Absolutely! It’s good to be spontaneous from time to time.
My travel blog http://www.viaggiperilmondoblog.wordpress.com
Good luck with your new blog.
nice photo…and write up
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
I loved the pictures, and I love puffins, too. When you come back post another article about this, I would love it. And, now I feel like visiting there, too.
Thanks very much! I hope you manage to visit some day. Hopefully I’ll return from my next trip with material for another post!
Your page is really amazing!! Please follow me and read some of my posts. PS. Ur really almost!!
Thank you! Good luck with your new blog. I’m following you and will be sure to check out your posts.
Thrilled to see your wonderful post about the Isle of May – my husband and I are living and working in China at the moment, but our family house is in Pittenweem and I look over at the Isle of May every day! I remember, before I’d ever been there, asking one of the fishermen what was on the island – ‘Rhubarb and rabbits’ was his answer! It is a fantastic place to visit, we send visitor there regularly, giving them a picnic and waterproof clothing just in case, and making sure they have their cameras and binoculars. Your fantastic photos have made me feel all homesick, sitting here in Beijing. Zai jian!
Thanks very much. I love the ‘rhubarb and rabbits’ anecdote! Cameras and binoculars are essential! They add so much to the experience. I imagine living and working in China must be a bit of a culture shock after Pittenweem! I will experience that myself later this year as I’m planning a trip to Beijing to visit my brother. I’m sure it will be an incredible experience but I expect I will feel more than a little homesick for Scotland. If you can cope with some more homesickness yourself, you might like to check out my Fife Coastal Path blog here: http://blog.karenthorburn.com/2015/09/08/the-fife-coastal-path-one-year-on/ Enjoy!
Seabirds and Lighthouses Galore on the Isle of May…
beautiful and funny animal creation that god there
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Ok
Lovely pics and well put article about Isle of May. I moved to Europe 6 months back and as time permits planning for travel. Reading your post , I am tempted to visit Scotland .
Thank you! Feel free to have a scroll through my blog for some other ideas on places to visit in Scotland, particularly the Highlands and Islands. I hope you’re enjoying living in Stockholm and you find the time to explore Europe!
Thanks Karen ! yeah its been a enjoyable stay so far and looking forward to summers !!! Will surely look through your blog.
Good story of your exploration of the island.
Great video of the terns flying from their nests
Thank you! The Arctic Terns certainly provided a memorable welcome to the Isle of May.
The first Island shot makes it look like a ruminating whale. Loved your artticle.
Thanks very much! You’re right. I hadn’t spotted that before. 🙂
I enjoyed your post if you have some free time check out my site
http://jaycolby.com/
Thanks Jay. I’m enjoying reading through your blog – lots of interesting posts.
you have a wonderful grasp of composition, keep the good work up.
Thanks very much. My Isle of May trip was a snapshot kind of day, so I hope you’ll enjoy looking through my more recent posts which feature my more ‘serious’ photographs! I’ll be back on the Isle of May in a few months’ time and will be hoping for some good light and seabirds in abundance!
Reading your story reminds me of the times and summers I spent along the rocky coast of Maine… Eating fresh seafood, salt spray, the smells, the sights. If all came right back…. Good job…
I’m delighted to have brought back some happy memories for you! Memories of summer and simple pleasures are so often the best ones. Your days on the Maine coast sound carefree and idyllic.
They were amazing… Every year my parents would pick a different little peninsula on the map and that’s where we would go….eat fresh lobster..clams..and all the beautiful scenery… It is where I learned to draw lighthouses…. It sounds beautiful where you are too…
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Thanks very much for the reblog!
Nice pics!
Reblogged this on Mon site officiel / My official website.
Thanks – much appreciated!
Hermosas fotos gracias
Muchas gracias!
It still looks a little cool for a boat trip at this time of year but the oldest lighthouse in Scotland looks worth it. 🙂 I enjoyed your company. It’s a part of the world I keep meaning to visit and never quite make it.
Thanks Jo. I think the boat operators would agree with you! The ferry runs from 1st April to 30th September. Hopefully it’ll have warmed up a bit by then! If you make to to Fife one day, I’m sure you’d enjoy a trip out to ‘the May’.
good article
Thank you! Apologies for the slow response – I was overwhelmed with comments on this post 🙂
Reblogged this on KCJones.
Thanks very much!
Loved this! Thank you!
I’m delighted you enjoyed it!
Great pictures. Makes me think of how integral lighthouses are in our perception of landscapes.
Thank you Robbie. I’ve always loved lighthouses. They really enhance the experience of being on the coast.
Beautiful pictures – the puffin & the lighthouse pictures are so striking! It’s nice you did something for yourself to shake things up! Thanks for sharing! Please check out my blog as well http://www.simplybee.org and follow 🙂
Thank you! I was particularly pleased with the Puffin picture!
Thanks for the link to your blog. Bee conservation is a hugely important topic and I will read your posts with interest.
very cool, I would love to travel here one day!
Thanks! I hope you manage to travel out to the Isle of May some day soon!
I would love to walk that path! Thanks for sharing!
It’s a pleasure being able to share these experiences on WordPress. Thanks for dropping by my blog!
I loved your photographs and post. We lived in Edinburgh for 18 years, enjoyed many daytrips to the Fife coast. Have you tried the famous Fish &Chips at Anstruther? Beautiful puffins! Enjoy Scotland. I miss it so much. 🙂
I hope you make it back to Scotland for a visit from time to time! The queue has always been enough to put me off but it’s a sure sign of a quality chip shop! I’ll be back in Anstruther again fairly soon for another trip to the Isle of May so, if it’s a bit quieter, I may treat myself to a bag of chips! 🙂
It’s always been busy because of winning awards, but I know what you mean, if you’re very hungry you want to eat! Have you come across the tiny sweet and ice-cream shop at the harbour in Pittenweem? It’ll send you back to your childhood. A real gem for treats!:-)
Yes, I have! I had an ice cream from there a few years back! I’d forgotten all about it until now. I’ll have to treat myself next time I’m in the East Neuk. 🙂
Always time for treats! Happy travelling. 🙂
Wow – gorgeous seabirds! Great photographs.
Thank you Paul! Be sure to pop back again soon as I’ve recently re-visited the Isle of May and managed to capture some more seabird photographs at the height of the breeding bird season.