Bass Rock Bird Sanctuary

The Bass Rock is the closest sea bird sanctuary to the mainland, located in the Firth of Forth, two miles east of North Berwick and one mile off the Scottish mainland.

The core of what was once a large volcano, the rock stands at a height of 313 feet, with three sides of sheer cliff, and a tunnel through the rock to a depth of 105 metres. The gentler southern slope forms a promontory where the ruins of a castle stand, dating back to at least 1405.

Bass Rock is home to the largest seabird colony on the east coast of Britain with around 80,000 occupied nest sites. The rock is a popular breeding ground for Gannets, being home to approximately 10% of the world population of North Atlantic Gannets.

Bass Rock is accessible by boat and birdwatchers will find the best time to visit is during the Gannets' nesting period between April and August.