Bird PlacesAberlady Bay
Aberlady, East Lothian · East Lothian Council · 26.9 km away
coastalFree entry
Natural England reserve · Anstruther, Fife
Isle of May birdwatching guide
The Isle of May sits five miles off the Fife coast and carries one of the largest puffin colonies in the North Sea, alongside guillemots, razorbills and breeding terns. Landing means a boat from Anstruther in the summer season only, and the island's cliffs and burrow slopes put tens of thousands of seabirds within a short walk of the jetty.
Key facts
- Habitat
- coastal
- Size
- Not recorded
- Entry fee (adult)
- Not published
- Entry fee (child)
- Not published
- Membership required
- No
- Hides
- Not published
- Wheelchair access
- Not verified
- Car park
- No
- Toilets
- No
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Status
- seasonal
- Best seasons
- spring, summer
Species by season
| Season | Species | Likelihood | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| spring | Eider (Somateria mollissima) | frequent | — |
| summer | Guillemot (Uria aalge) | common | — |
| summer | Puffin (Fratercula arctica) | common | — |
| summer | Razorbill (Alca torda) | common | — |
Getting there
Anstruther, Fife
View on OpenStreetMap · Official website
Facilities & opening
Opening hours not recorded — check the official website.
Frequently asked questions
How do I visit the Isle of May?
By boat from Anstruther during the summer season. Sailings depend on weather and sea state, and the island is closed to landings outside the breeding months.
Nearby reserves (all organisations)
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Information last updated 25 July 2026.