Saturday 9th November 2019, departing from the Central Pier, Granton Harbour, Edinburgh EH5 1HF 9.00 am sharp. Returning approx. 3.00 pm
Enjoy a guided cruise on board the Conserver to the wildlife rich, inner Forth islands of Inchkeith, Inchcolm and Inchmickery, visiting grey seal colonies which offer excellent photographic opportunities at close quarters. Clients must be fit and active, prepared to negotiate steep ladders and must bring warm, waterproof clothing, stout footwear and a packed lunch. Hot drinks will be provided on the boat. The Conserver is provided with a large, enclosed cabin and lower deck, as well as toilets. Our experienced guide, Ronald, will provide information about the wildlife, civil and military history of these islands.
This trip is dependent upon the weather and may be cancelled at short notice. However, the following day, Sunday 18th November, has been reserved as a back-up date. Clients are therefore requested to ensure they are available for both dates. The itinerary may be altered to suit prevailing conditions on the day. Monies will be refunded if the trip is cancelled for any reason.
Clients are asked to be at Granton harbour no later than 8.45 am to board the Conserver.
Cost of this trip is £60 with a maximum group size of 10
This event offers a guided tour of the seabird colonies at the island of Inchkeith, which lies in the middle of the Forth estuary, between Kinghorn on the Fife shore and Leith on the Lothian Shore.
Since the end of World War II Inchkeith has steadily developed as an important sanctuary for many breeding seabird species, including cormorant, shag, puffin, guillemot, razorbill, fulmar, kittiwake, great black backed, lesser black backed, herring gull and eider duck, etc.
A boat tour around the island will introduce the various seabirds and their colonies from a seaward perspective, before landing to begin the guided tour to suitable watching areas, from where the various species can be viewed at reasonable close quarters.
This trip will be led by our expert, Ron, who has many years of experience in this field and has written the authoritative work ‘The Wildlife of Inchkeith.’ This promises to be a great day out. Persons interested must be fit and active as some difficult terrain requires to be negotiated. Warm and waterproof clothing are required, as is the wearing of stout footwear. Some form of headgear should be brought as nesting gulls can be quite aggressive. A head for heights and an ability to climb up and down steep ladders for boarding and leaving the boat is also essential. A packed lunch should be brought.
After booking, persons should provide contact email addresses and mobile telephone numbers. People should arrive at the central pier, Granton harbour, Edinburgh, EH5 1HF about 8.45am for 9.00am sailing. The boat journey to the island takes about 40 minutes. Three-four hours will be spent ashore. Return to Granton will be late afternoon.
As the trip is weather dependent, contact is made with the boatman during the preceding evening to confirm if the trip is to go ahead. Contact will then be made with members of the party to advise them accordingly.
Time and weather permitting, visits to other inner Forth islands may be possible.
Book early to avoid disappointment as spaces on the boat are limited to 10 only.
Sunday 10th November 2019, departing from the Central Pier, Granton Harbour, Edinburgh EH5 1HF 9.00 am sharp. Returning approx. 3.00 pm
Enjoy a guided cruise on board the Conserver to the wildlife rich, inner Forth islands of Inchkeith, Inchcolm and Inchmickery, visiting grey seal colonies which offer excellent photographic opportunities at close quarters. Clients must be fit and active, prepared to negotiate steep ladders and must bring warm, waterproof clothing, stout footwear and a packed lunch. Hot drinks will be provided on the boat. The Conserver is provided with a large, enclosed cabin and lower deck, as well as toilets. Our experienced guide, Ronald, will provide information about the wildlife, civil and military history of these islands.
This trip is dependent upon the weather and may be cancelled at short notice. However, the following day, Sunday 18th November, has been reserved as a back-up date. Clients are therefore requested to ensure they are available for both dates. The itinerary may be altered to suit prevailing conditions on the day. Monies will be refunded if the trip is cancelled for any reason.
Clients are asked to be at Granton harbour no later than 8.45 am to board the Conserver.
Cost of this trip is £60 with a maximum group size of 10
