Posted by Maris on 30th Sep 2024
The Best Scottish Islands for Seeing Wildlife
The four main archipelagos of the United Kingdom are Shetland, Orkney, the Inner Hebrides, and the Outer Hebrides. Of the numerous islands that comprise the United Kingdom, the bulk are in Scottish waters. Islands are excellent places to get up close and personal with nature. These eight provide incredible opportunities to enjoy nature.
Rum
The population of Rum is less than thirty, and it is situated directly south of Skye. Since the island's purchase by the Natural Conservancy Council in 1957, Rum has served as a natural reserve and the location of numerous significant investigations. The population of red deer has been the subject of much research and has been made famous by the BBC's Autumnwatch program. The successfully restored giant white-tailed sea eagles in Rum can also be seen in large numbers. If you go on a guided walk, you might encounter seals and otters, and the ranger service frequently gives informative talks.
Ailsa Craig
In the Firth of Clyde, halfway between Glasgow and Belfast, is Ailsa Craig, located about 10 miles (16 km) off the coast of Scotland. Curling stones are extracted from the unusual blue hone granite found at Ailsa Craig, which is the remnants of a long-extinct volcano. Standing at 1,109 feet (338 meters), the island is leased to the RSPB and is used as a bird sanctuary. It has an amazing variety of seabirds, with 36,000 gannet breeding pairs. There are also guillemots, black guillemots, and razorbills, among the other species. The always adorable and attractive puffin has recovered quite well in recent years. There are several trips offered however the island can only be visited by boat.
Suth Uist
The naturally varied environment of South Uist, the second biggest of the Outer Hebrides, is home to various unique habitats and fauna. The island's northern Loch Druidibeg serves as an illustration of the cross-section of habitats. Storm-tossed and wind-whipped, the exceedingly uncommon machair grassland hugges the Atlantic coast, displaying a brilliant display of wildflowers throughout the summer. Moorland is further east, when the sandy soil gives way to peat. The distinct sounds of the native hen harrier and corncrake, both extremely rare, can be heard from over the island. As peregrines dive on their prey at up to 200 mph (320 kph), golden eagles soar overhead.
Mull
Ferries departing from Fort William and the Ardnamurchan peninsula to the north both carry passengers to the island of Mull. Mull, the fourth-largest island in Scotland, is home to many animals. There are over 250 different kinds of birds, such as hen harriers, short-eared owls, golden eagles, and white-tailed sea eagles. Because of its numerous peninsulas and miles of shoreline, Mull's rugged interior makes it an ideal home for seals and otters. Whale-watching trips, where you may spot the second-largest fish in the world, the basking shark, porpoises, and minke whales, are among the most popular nature attractions.
Islay
Although it's most known for its peaty whisky, Islay is also a nature sanctuary. The climate on the farther-flung islands is milder due to their position, drawing in various species. Along with otters and cetacean species comparable to those seen off Mull, this area is home to three species of deer. The uncommon chough, corncrake, peregrine, barn owl, hen harrier, golden eagle, and other birds can be seen on Islay. Tens of thousands of geese arrive in winter on Islay and nearby Jura to graze on grass before migrating north to the arctic to nest in the spring. Naturalists from far and wide are drawn to this spectacle of thousands of enormous birds flying across the countryside.
North Ronaldsay, Orkney
Choosing just one of the islands in Orkney that is excellent for wildlife viewing is difficult because they are all slightly different. On the other hand, naturalists are well-known for North Ronaldsay, the northernmost island. The North Ronaldsay sheep, confined to the coast by a stone wall and primarily feed on seaweed, are visible to visitors. However, the island's popularity as a wildlife destination stems from its location along several bird species' migratory routes. The island is regarded as one of the greatest locations in Europe to view endangered species in the fall and spring. Serious birdwatchers have even been known to rent flights to spot uncommon and new arrivals. There is a robust hen harrier, short-eared owl, and corncrake population in North Ronaldsay.
Shetland
The Shetland islands, the furthest north in the United Kingdom, frequently have a more Scandinavian atmosphere. Like Orkney, they are blustery and battered by violent storms but are also home to some incredible biodiversity. Not only do visitors frequently encounter seals and orcas, but this is also one of the greatest spots in the UK to observe otters, especially on Yell Island. The abundance of birdlife includes several unique species, such the 50,000 puffins that nest in the Hermaness National Nature Reserve on Unst and the storm petrel, which builds its nest in an Iron Age broch on Mousa. In addition to 160,000 seabirds calling the cliffs at Noss home, wintertime visitors can spot arctic hare as they turn white.
St Kilda
One of the few locations with dual Unesco World history classification for natural and cultural history is St. Kilda, located far into the Atlantic Ocean. Access to the islands is strictly controlled since any unintentional species introduction could have disastrous consequences. The last 36 residents were removed in 1930. The tall cliffs of St Kilda, which rise from the sea like jagged shark teeth, are home to several seabird species like puffin and guillemot, as well as the world's largest colony of gannets. Other, less well-known populations include the St Kilda wren and the unusual but incredibly amiable field mouse. Taking a boat tour here takes time, but the effort is well worth it.