Sea kayaking to the Isle of May, Fife. July 21st 2018
Sea kayaking to the Isle of May. Heading out from the east harbour at Anstruther the group make a wonderful sight; a wide variety of colourful boats and paddlers in the team from the Inverness Kayak Club for the crossing to the island, which is around 5 miles offshore.
The Isle of May is located in the north of the outer Firth of Forth. It is about 1.5 kilometres long and 0.5 kilometres wide. The island is owned and managed by NatureScot as a national nature reserve. There are now no permanent residents, but the island was the site of St Adrian’s Priory during the Middle Ages.
Most visitors to the island are daytrippers taking the ferry from Anstruther in Fife, although up to six visitors can stay at the bird observatory, usually for a week at a time. The only way to get there is by ferry; the journey takes 45 minutes from the small harbours of Anstruther and Crail, and also from North Berwick. As of 2015, around 11,000 people visit the island each year.
The island is closed to visitors from 1 October until Easter to prevent disturbance to the large number of seal pups. The Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick has two live cameras on the island, which can be remotely controlled by visitors, to allow close viewing of the seabird cities, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, shags, cormorants and terns and the fluffy grey seal pups in winter, without disturbance. The Scottish Seabird Centre also runs boat trips to the Isle of May. As well as its natural heritage, the Isle of May also has a rich cultural heritage, including St Adrian’s Chapel, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Furthermore, the Isle of May Lighthouse; Keepers’ Houses; North and South Horns; the Low and Light Cottages; the Coal Store and Stable Block; and the former Lighthouse Beacon have all been included in the list of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
With the wind slightly behind and across us the paddle out to the islands took around 1 1/2 hours. Slowly slowly the island looked closer as we paddled on.
After circumnavigating the island and passing under the cliffs (which proved a bit choppy!) we headed into the landing site at Kirkhaven. We were met by the wonderful warden David Steel (not that one), who gave us a brief overview of the island.
We spent 2 hours walking around the island, admiring its lighthouses and foghorns. Puffins galore!
There were huge numbers of grey seals and rafts of puffins on the water as we left the island and headed back to Anstruther. Now heading into the wind the water was a bit lumpier for the return journey.
We ended the trip in style with ‘world famous’ Anstruther Fish and Chips and a 99- a job well done by all and a fantastic day out was had! 
Keen for your own sea kayaking adventure? For more paddling experiences please see our website; book online today to paddle at Gairloch, Skye or Loch Ness!
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