Scotland’s iconic seabird sanctuaries saved for future generations
- Nationwide Heritage Memorial Fund helps RSPB to amass Bass Rock and Craigleith islands within the Firth of Forth, safeguarding iconic seabird sanctuaries
- RSPB and Scottish Seabird Centre plan vivid future for conservation and public entry backed by The Nationwide Lottery Heritage Fund
- As birdwatching rises 1088% amongst younger individuals, challenge affords an immersive new manner for extra individuals to expertise puffin and gannet colonies
- Essential step for conservation as 70% of Scotland’s seabirds face decline
“It was an unco place by evening, unco by day; and there have been unco sounds; of the calling of the solans [gannets], and the plash [splash] of the ocean, and the rock echoes that hung regularly in our ears.”
From ‘Catriona’ by Robert Louis Stevenson
Within the Firth of Forth, it’s a time of recent beginnings. As breeding season peaks for Bass Rock’s round 100,000 sturdy gannet inhabitants and neighbouring Craigleith’s 10,000 puffins, a brand new chapter for the islands and its feathered residents has begun.
Due to £586,000 funding from the Nationwide Heritage Memorial Fund, Bass Rock and Craigleith islands have been acquired by RSPB Scotland from the Dalrymple household, together with funds for essentially the most fast upkeep wants. This may convey the islands into charitable possession for the primary time in 320 years and guarantee nature is on the coronary heart of their futures for generations to return.
Bringing the islands into RSPB Scotland stewardship comes at a vital time. Greater than 70% of Scotland’s seabirds are in decline and going through unprecedented threats from local weather change, meals shortage, invasive species and the impression of human exercise. On Bass Rock and Craigleith, the unfold of invasive tree mallow and the unfold of Avian Flu (HPAI) in 2022 made a big impression on the gannet populations.
In partnership with the Scottish Seabird Centre, RSPB Scotland has formidable plans to save lots of, safeguard and rejoice the pure heritage and historical past of the islands. The longer term plans are supported by £372,000 of growth funding from The Nationwide Lottery Heritage Fund with the potential to unlock an additional £589,000 of cash raised by Nationwide Lottery gamers. Plans embody an immersive new viewing theatre within the Scottish Seabird Centre, inclusive boat journeys and group outreach.
Simon Thurley, Chair of the Nationwide Heritage Memorial Fund and The Nationwide Lottery Heritage Fund, stated:
“As Chair of each the Nationwide Heritage Memorial Fund and The Nationwide Lottery Heritage Fund, I’m delighted to announce these substantial grants to safe the way forward for Bass Rock, Craigleith and the seabirds and marine life that decision them dwelling.
For the Memorial Fund, this can be a as soon as in a lifetime alternative to safe the islands for the general public and make sure that, with RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Seabird Centre on the helm, their function as seabird sanctuaries is protected for the longer term.
For the Heritage Fund, this challenge is a improbable instance of our imaginative and prescient for supporting nature’s restoration and enabling individuals to attach positively with the world round them. Due to Nationwide Lottery gamers, there are thrilling alternatives forward for conservationists, birdwatchers and people who are but to fall in love with the islands.
Whereas the Memorial Fund and the Heritage Fund are distinct, each share a dedication to securing the way forward for our heritage, and this package deal of help demonstrates how successfully we will mix their strengths to realize this.”
RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Seabird Centre will ship a vital coordinated conservation plan throughout each islands, finishing up monitoring and analysis and dealing with volunteers to assist species and habitats survive and thrive. The partnership will advocate for Scotland’s seabirds, constructing a higher understanding of their wants and challenges and aiming to extend help and funding for seabird conservation and Scotland’s marine atmosphere.
Strengthening public connection to Bass Rock, Craigleith and its species are integral to their future. A 360-degree viewing theatre might be constructed within the Scottish Seabird Centre, enabling individuals to observe the puffins, gannets and different marine species in actual time with out disturbing their habitats. This might be welcome information for birdwatchers, whose numbers have elevated by 47% general since 2018 and by 1,088% for 16 to 29 yr olds, in accordance with a report revealed by RSPB.
Future engagement work will embody inclusive boat journeys, faculty workshops and compiling group reminiscences of the islands that are an imposing and iconic a part of the Firth of Forth seascape, not only for their function as seabird strongholds however for his or her wealthy histories and their depictions in artwork and literature.
Anne McCall, Director, RSPB Scotland stated:
“We’re thrilled to be taking up stewardship of Bass Rock and Craigleith, increasing the RSPB nature reserve community across the Firth of Forth due to the Nationwide Heritage Memorial Fund and Nationwide Lottery Heritage Fund. With the pressures going through Scotland’s seabirds intensifying, we now have a duty to behave. This partnership provides us the chance to drive ahead seabird restoration at this significant time.
“Collaboration is important to guard wildlife and these unbelievable locations they name dwelling. Working with the Scottish Seabird Centre, we are going to guarantee these extraordinary islands are safeguarded for generations to return. Via administration, analysis, group engagement and advocacy, we will safe a brighter future for species like Puffins and Gannets.
By working collectively, the 2 charities intention to safe a extra resilient future for the islands for the advantage of wildlife and the individuals who love and look after them.”
Harry Huyton, CEO, Scottish Seabird Centre stated:
“Bass Rock and Craigleith are among the many world’s most awe-inspiring pure wonders, and their integration into the RSPB’s nature reserve community is a historic day for Scottish nature. This formidable partnership between the Scottish Seabird Centre and the RSPB builds on years of devoted stewardship, the place our volunteers, native communities, and the Dalrymple household have labored tirelessly to revive these islands—most notably quadrupling Craigleith’s puffin inhabitants regardless of nationwide declines.
Along with RSPB Scotland, we are going to guarantee these very important sanctuaries are conserved perpetually, deepen public connection to those unbelievable locations, and encourage collective motion to guard Scotland’s iconic seabirds for generations to return. Due to Nationwide Lottery gamers for serving to making all of this potential.”
Sir Hew Dalrymple, former landowner, stated:
“The Dalrymple household have been lucky to have been custodians of the Bass for over 300 years. Throughout my lifetime the Gannet inhabitants has quadrupled. Nonetheless, it’s clear the seabird colonies of the Forth now face unprecedented challenges, most notably from wind generators, air pollution, over-fishing and illness. I imagine that RSPB Scotland is the organisation finest outfitted to take up this problem on their behalf, so I’m delighted to cross on to them stewardship of Craigleith and the Bass.”
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