RSPB buys Bass Rock after 300 years in private hands

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Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth, home to the world’s largest colony of northern gannets, has been bought by the conservation charity RSPB Scotland.

The island, three miles off the coast of North Berwick, has been owned by the Hamilton-Dalrymple family for 320 years.

A grant of £586,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund has helped pay for transfer of the rock’s ownership along with neighbouring Craigleith Island, which is home to about 10,000 puffins.

RSPB Scotland says the move will help it tackle the pressures facing seabirds, which have been in significant decline in recent years.

The prominent 350ft (106m) high island, which is the site of a lighthouse and the remains of an ancient castle, is uninhabited.

The island’s distinctive white colour comes from bird droppings – also known as guano – which coat the surface and give it a distinctive smell.

The volcanic rock beneath is actually dark grey and brown.

The total cost of the sale has not been disclosed but BBC Scotland News understands it was below market value.

RSPB Scotland said acquiring the islands came at a crucial time, with more than 70% of seabirds facing decline.

It said threats come from climate change, food scarcity, invasive species and human activity.

Bass Rock has been a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for almost 75 years and is home to about 100,000 gannets.

Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said the organisation was “thrilled” to be taking ownership of the islands and would be working with the Scottish Seabird Centre to protect and enhance the bird colonies.

“With the pressures facing Scotland’s seabirds intensifying, we have a responsibility to act,” she said.

“This partnership gives us the opportunity to drive forward seabird recovery at this crucial time.”

Tom White/Getty Images

Tom White/Getty Images

The gannet colony was devastated by bird flu in 2022/23 but researchers have since said populations are recovering.

However, the most recent survey found numbers had only rebounded to about two thirds of their peak of 150,000.

It is hoped the change of ownership will help conservation groups introduce measures which can protect and enhance bird numbers.

Bass Rock was bought by Sir Hew Dalrymple in 1706. It was previously both a religious site and a jail for political prisoners.

His descendent, also Sir Hew Dalrymple, said he was “delighted” to now pass on stewardship of both islands and felt the charity was better placed than him to protect it.

“It is clear the seabird colonies of the Forth now face unprecedented challenges, most notably from wind turbines, pollution, overfishing and disease,” he said.

“I believe that RSPB Scotland is the organisation best equipped to take up this challenge.”

The Forth is considered an important haven for seabirds, with the neighbouring Isle of May – owned and run by NatureScot – offering a sanctuary for birds and seals.

RSPB Scotland brought a legal challenge to plans for an offshore wind farm in the outer Firth of Forth, arguing that ministers had not fully considered the impact on rare wildlife.

It initially won the case but the decision was overturned on appeal and the 54-turbine Neart na Gaoithe wind farm is now operational.

The charity has said it will work with the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick to deliver a conservation plan for both Bass Rock and Craigleith Island.

This will include research and monitoring of bird populations to improve understanding of the pressures they are facing.

A new visitor attraction will also be built at the seabird centre, using live 360 degree cameras so people can virtually experience the puffins and gannets close-up.

The conservation organisation said the number of people who were birdwatching as a hobby had increased significantly over recent years, especially among people aged between 16 and 29.

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