Bass Rock landowner sells historic gannet colony site to RSPB Scotland

The rocky outcrop and its neighbouring uninhabited island of Craigleith in the Firth of Forth were handed over by the Dalrymple family, who have owned them for the last 320 years.

The RSPB was supported in the purchase by £586,000 in public money channelled through the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Both islands are home to significant seabird colonies, including Bass Rock’s globally recognised 100,000-strong gannet population. The birds dominate the island, living among the remains of a 14th-century castle and a 17th-century state prison, often called "Scotland's Alcatraz.” Craigleith has also seen its puffin population quadruple over the last couple of decades to some 10,000 thanks to community efforts in removing invasive tree mallow.

The islands’ former landowner Sir Hew Dalrymple, whose family has long worked with the North Berwick-based Scottish Seabird Centre for conservation work, said the sale had come at a pivotal moment for marine wildlife.

Conservationists have warned seabirds are facing a multitude of growing threats, including pollution, overfishing, offshore industries and wind turbines, invasive species, and avian flu, which killed a huge number of gannets on Bass Rock in 2022. Nature Scot estimated a minimum of 11,175 gannets died during that outbreak alone. The RSPB has, more widely, warned of major declines in Scotland’s seabirds, and reported some 70 per cent of species are seeing numbers decrease.

Speaking during a visit to Bass Rock on Tuesday, Sir Dalrymple said: “I made the decision to do this because of the risk these birds are now facing.

“I thought an organisation like the RSPB would be better equipped to protect the islands and their wildlife than a private individual.

“In this day, an individual doesn’t have the same sort of traction as an organisation like the RSPB who can access funds.

“Hence, we have been in discussions and I am glad to say, although with some emotional regret, they are now custodians of these two islands.”

Sir Dalrymple said marine life in the Forth needs more protection than ever after one of the largest offshore wind farm projects in the world, Berwick Bank, was approved for the area.

The RSPB, alongside a coalition of nature charities, is heavily campaigning to cancel the development of some 300 turbines. It said the Scottish Government’s own assessment shows the mega-wind farm is predicted to kill 2,808 guillemots, 814 kittiwakes, 260 gannets, 154 razorbills, and 65 puffins in the first year alone.

Developer SSE said the seabird densities are "not exceptional" in the area and the impact would be among the lowest of any wind farm site. Both those claims are disputed by RSPB Scotland.

The new Bass Rock site manager for the RSPB, David Anderson, said the change in ownership will help the charity to spotlight the threats to seabirds.

“Having the opportunity to have Bass Rock provides an opportunity to talk about how important these species are and the threats they are facing, from climate change to developments that are being put in the wrong place, food supply and also biosecurity,” he said.

“One of the key aspects of this project is that we are doing it alongside the Scottish Seabird Centre which has links with the local community. This means we can help connect people to some of the most important wildlife that we have and why we want to protect it.”

Mr Anderson said the next year will see a ten-year management plan drawn up for the islands.

In collaboration with the Scottish Seabird Centre, the RSPB wants to roll out a series of initiatives to boost public engagement with the islands, including a new immersive 360-degree viewing theatre in the centre that will allow people to watch species in real time without disturbing their habitats.

There will also be school workshops and a project to compile community memories of the islands for their rich histories and depictions in art and literature, including in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Catriona, as well as their role as seabird strongholds.

This will all be supported by an additional £372,000 in development funding from the National Lottery’s Heritage Fund, with the potential for a further £589,000 from money raised by lottery players.

Simon Thurley, chairman of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “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.”

Harry Huyton, chief executive of the 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 pGuffin 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.”