Island adventures and puffin spotting on the magnificent Isle of May on the Firth of Forth, Scotland
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
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We took a fast RIB from Anstruther in Fife with isleofmayboattrips.co.uk to our favourite island on the Firth of Forth. In our opinion, this is one of the best day trips in Scotland - beautiful weather, an exhilarating journey, thousands of birds (including of course puffins!), lighthouses and the fresh air of a stunning island. What more could we ask for? Well, fish and chips from the Anstruther Fish Bar afterwards, that would be a nice way to round off a perfect day :)
Hi, I’m Steve. I am a travel reviewer and post my trip reports here on RUclips. I pay for my own travel and produce my own videos. If you have any questions about my journeys or travel advice in general, please drop me a comment - I do my best to respond to every single one. I’d also love to hear any recommendations you may have for future content, or why not challenge me to try something a little out of the ordinary! If you are looking to collaborate on any type of project, I’d love to hear from you - email me your ideas and hopefully we can work together in the future.
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Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com:
Våryra by Sandra Marteleur
I played this for my mom and her roommate while visiting her at her nursing home. She has advanced dementia and there aren’t many things that hold her attention. This was so beautifully filmed that both of them watched. Thank you for bringing the outside in to them. I love your blog and hope to visit Scotland again soon. ❤️🏴
Wow - if a message ever touched my heart it's this one! Thank you so much for sharing x
We are from Canada and we visited the isle of may because of your video while we were in scotland in june 2023. Thanks to you!!!
Many thanks Steve and Alicia, this morning we enjoyed a fabulous trip to the Isle of May because we were inspired by your visit. We are 2 Australians enjoying 2 weeks exploring Scotland and seeing puffins was definitely a priority, and we saw 100’s maybe 1000’s on May. We thought Anstruther was the most beautiful coastal town and the trip from Stirling very scenic. Your blogs are terrific!
Excellent outing, Steve and Alicja! 👍👍Especially loved the music that accompanied the still photos of the puffins at the end of the video. ❤
The stunning landscape coupled with amazing Scottish engineering mixed with your enthusiasm and wonderful presenting style. Love your videos. Thank you both.
That's a really kind comment, thank you Willie from us both :)
A beautiful rugged island is so beautiful. The story about the island was very educational. The puffins are so precious. So much to look at on the island and in the water. An amazing boat ride 🤗🤗
We LOVED this day! Happy memories
As we have come to expect from you both, an absolutely fantastic video. The BBC, with the resources they have at their disposal seldom make such interesting and riveting programmes, thank you!
Thank you SO much Ray! :)
I love your videos Steve....so well narrated and put together. We get a full-on tour with you both. You should do a tv-series lol. Keep posting dude :)
Cheers Fred!
Your videos are going from strength to strength. This is a fantastic journey you are taking your followers on. Thanks so much. As I say, in a totally different league.
That's so kind Julian! Thanks!
Well done Steve, such an interesting and well made video. Don’t think I didn’t notice that sideways smirk when you mentioned that the birds were there for only one thing. The gods were smiling on you by providing a day with perfect weather for you. I am looking forward to the next video. 👍👍 from 🇦🇺.
Thank you so much for this video. I arrived here via a beautiful song sung by Connie Boswell, thinking it was some fictitious island but it really does exist and your film does it proud. Stunning scenery and colours ! And the film just the right length to cultivate interest in the place. I could almost smell the sea air !!
How wonderful it is on the Isle of May! Imagine living there relieving all the stress that is around us! Puffin is such a beautiful bird! Puffin is called in Norwegian "Lunde" or sea parrot! Thanks for another great video!
I love that information - thanks so much! Will always be a sea parrot to me now!
Anytime I see you have posted a new video, I click on it right away. I know I will enjoy it and maybe even learn something in the process. Thank you for what you do. You should have ten times the subscribers you do!
That’s so kind Michele, really appreciate the support!
This is wonderful….thank you so much. All the best to you both…just wanted to add the photos and music at the end were smashing too…soothing😊
Every tour guide thinks hes a comedian - lovely island - and great photography
Haha so true Robin! :)
Thanks for my afternoon out to the Isle of May, an island ive actually heard of....haha. Only in Scotland could a lighthouse be disguised as a mini castle. Just great
Haha so true!
@@steve-marsh Steve - you mentioned that you don't have a drone early in the video, and while your videos do VERY well at ground level, a few overhead shots could add some depth [no pun intended] to your efforts. Thanks for taking us along and stay safe.
The still shots of the Puffins at the end were very well received too.
Thank you for showing your lovely world.
Thanks for watching!
This is so lovely. I love your enthusiasm and it clearly shows how much you both love showing us. This is definitely on my to do list! Gorgeous.
Thank you so much Margaret!
I'd go puffin watching with you guys any day. That was so cool. Got my puffin fix for sure.
Awesome stuff Steve, the uploads just keep getting more and more interesting, the boat trip back was like a wee roller-coaster eh lol
Thanks again.
It was so much fun Gary!
Steve you make some very good informative videos, I just subscribed
Thanks for the sub Mick! Welcome aboard!
Your videography and photography are just wonderful! Such very beautiful pictures of the puffins. Honestly, this video will be one of my favorites! And the lighthouses! So very regal and proud. Even the harbor light at Anstruther is beautiful. Thank you so very much for a vicarious trip...the boat trip back really looked like an E-ticket!
Thank you so much Cindy! Kind words indeed! But very easy to film in such wonderful surroundings :)
Just wonderful! Every one of your videos just makes me want to visit Scotland more.
Thanks Philip! :) This really was a memorable day trip!
Absolutely brilliant. We are so lucky to have all this beautiful scenery and coastline on our doorstop. I am lucky to live in Central Scotland but need to get out more so thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks Wendy! Aye, you're so right! :)
Thanks for another great island tour Steve.....wow....that's quite a fast, rough ride out & back....don't know if I'd be up for that - might elect to take the slower boat...lol!!
Cabot Tower was constructed in 1900 by designs of William Howe Greene. I was so surprised to hear you guys mention it....yes, I was thinking the same thing as soon as I saw it!
Really miss St.John’s Bob - we must be due a return soon! Maybe we’ll take the slow boat next time too! :)
I did work on the isle of may in 1999/2000 building paths and steps ,plus you get to stay in the light house in the cliff edge ,the fire wood was found on the inlets and beaches ,so try the hermits bay and the singing stones .
Thanks for your work Leigh!
An amazing video. What a beautiful day you had - and thanks for sharing it. Also, your photos of the puffins are wonderful.
Thank you so much Heather!
I visit the isle of May tomorrow! And I couldn’t be more excited! Your video is awesome
Scotland looks like a different country in the sunshine! And you both looked a bit more serene. Great trip! 🌞
What an amazing video Steve absolutely brilliant.
Cheers Kenneth!
Best chippy in the world is Ainster, your vlogs are going from better to better mate, love them
Thanks so much!
Another well composed video - you really do make the viewer feel like they are there !
Thanks so much John!
Hi Steve. Thanks for inviting me along on your trip to May. A really interesting journey. I look forward to the next adventure. Hope your good lady found the trip interesting too. Best wishes to you both.
Cheers Derek! She absolutely loved it - not been on many boats in her life and taking to it like a 🦆 to water :)
Absolutely love your video's Steve & Alicja, I wish I'd seen this one before setting off on our one month trip around Scotland in our campervan setting off from Northern Italy. We went to Anstruther but I hadn't researched enough to include the Isle of May, I now really wish I had! I was born in The Lake District in Cumbria (which I can highly recommend), but I totally fell in love with Scotland for it's wild and wonderful landscape, an unforgettable experience! Thanks for doing what you do, with my best wishes. Mark.
That was great, I love to the Puffin's. It looked like a great hurl on that boat.
Thanks again folks from me in Irvine 🤗🤗
Absolutely beautiful! So glad to see you can get out and about again. Many thanks and happy trails!
Thanks Karen! All the best to you!
Love Anstruther, used to go for my holidays there every year as a kid in the 80's. The old caravan site long gone and all new build houses there.
Loved it! Thanks for showing us around the island and more importantly thanks for showing us the puffins. Many people post the puffin photos but this is the first video I have seen so thanks a lot.
Cheers Del! Always a pleasure to point a camera in their direction :)
Thrilled to see this video. I subscribe to the Isle of May blog and would love to be able to visit the island. So glad you did this visit which I can enjoy vicariously.
So glad you enjoyed it Linda! :)
Awesome, thanks guys!
My channel is fixing my wee boat to come up. So inspiring thanks!
Just subbed! Will check it out soon :)
Hi Steve, Another fine day out. We thoroughly enjoyed the voyage and the trek on the island. Excellent puffin pics. When you were heading down to the unsheltered landing spot (and being out-pace) Bertha wondered which one of you had the car keys. Thanks again, Jim K.
I always have the keys, Alicja loses everything 😆
Thanks enjoyed that reminded me of a visit to the Farne Islands seeing Puffins without I,m sure you were pleased there no nesting Terns attacking you as you walk around.
That is such a good point! Need to get to Farne Islands too!
Breathtakingly beautiful!!!! Thanks so much!!!!!!!!
I love this island!!!
Wonderful work again guys, great viewing. Those puffin stills at the end were something else too. Funny birds.
They really are! Cheers Peter :)
I'd never heard of this place before, and now I've added to the list of places that I absolutely, definitely, positively must visit before I die.
It looks like they have trips leaving from North Berwick as well...
Aye I believe so! And it’s such a cooler place than I could ever capture on video, you’ll love it I’m sure!
Born in Edinburgh. Live in Kirkcaldy. Love my Homeland. Thanks for your showing our beautiful country via your videos. Keep up the good work. Best Wishes to All.
Thanks so much Michael! All the best to you too!
Watching this again, really good and interesting,
As always, your videos are so well done. And it makes me wish that I WERE there. Thank you.
Thanks so much Pete, it takes a lot of effort but comments like yours make it worthwhile :)
@@steve-marsh How difficult would it be for an American to move to Scotland?
Such a beautiful place. Thanks for bringing me along. All the best from Central Florida.
Thanks for joining us! :)
👍 superb. Perfect tonic for today, thank you.
Thanks so much Odet!
Looks amazing, will need to go soon. Thanks for a super video
Cheers Alister!
Great video, now on our to do list!
You’ll love it I’m sure Helen!
Crikey guys , that lighthouse could pass for a stately home!! Great video am enjoying watching them.
Love, love, love this video! I am a bit puffin obsessed and have travelled far to see them. Will be adding ithe Isle of May to my list. Thank you so much for this!
Thanks Mary! Me too! The place I’ve seen most puffins was in Faroe Islands on the Isle of Mykinos - I need to do a video from there one day!
Wow !! A Bird photographer's paradise. What a beautiful place my kind of place. Steve. Total isolation. It must have been awesome travelling on the Osprey across to Isle of May an experience on it's own. Thank you for taking us on your adventure.
It was a perfect day out John! :)
Another fantastic video of a great day out thanks for taking us along CHEERS stay safe
Thanks, you too!
What an amazing place to visit, thanks for taking us along. Your companion has a beautiful smile and a great personality.
Cheers Malcolm! She really does 😊
I have not viewed a video I did not enjoy, Steve. Brilliant job by you guys. So relaxing to travel with a couple of really kind souls. I did not check the comments but I'm sure someone probably disclosed that Cabot Tower on Signal Hill in St. John's, NL was designed by William Howe Greene in 1897. Agree, however, the resemblance is noteworthy. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Thanks so much mate! Aw the best!
Hey, a Canadian reference! To answer your question, the Cabot Tower on Signal Hill was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's jubilee, so a bit late to be a Stevenson lighthouse. In fact, it was never a lighthouse at all, but rather a flag signaling post for the British and then Canadian navy. My family and I just visited it last summer, so it's fresh in my mind. And you're right, the two buildings do look a lot alike!
Thanks so much for that!
As a new subscriber I’m loving your trips & the variety of your videos!.
Keep up the good work & I’m looking forward to the videos you make in the future. 👍🏻
Thanks so much Colin! Welcome aboard!
Fantastic Steve, I enjoyed every second. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!
Thank you so very much for taking me to where I cannot go when I travel to Scotland next…as the boats don’t run to the island in October. A very beautiful trip, video and pictures at the end. My heart is bursting with joy 🥰
I need to get a boat and do out-of-season tours :)
@@steve-marsh Great idea, Sign me up 👍😜 🚣♀️
My first visit and I managed three of your videos. First class in every way! I'll be watching more.
Thanks so much for the support Leon! Really appreciate it!
Love your videos Steve, look awesome on a UHD. Miss my jaunts up to the highlands and yes it's four seasons every 10 minutes. Keep them coming please. :)
Thanks so much John :) Will keep filming wherever we go!
Puffins are so damn cute! Loved the video, looked like you guys really enjoyed your visit. 👍🏼❤️
Ha they really are! And so small! A great day out 😊
Really enjoyable. My wife and I were in North Berwick yesterday looking out to the Isle and thinking we need to get a trip sorted. This has confirmed it for me.
Cheers Gerry! Hope you had a fun day in North Berwick!
Thanks a lot for a very interesting video, I really enjoy the spectacular views! Thanks a lot
Cheers! It was a fun day out for sure :)
Most enjoyable! Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it Janet!
Feel excited just viewing this. Thank you
A Beautiful island and all the birdlife.thank you for a great video. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it Christopher!
Great video Steve. The lighthouse does indeed look like Cabot tower. I lived at the bottom of Signal Hill Road in St John's for a while when I worked there. Loved it. Have you made a video of your trip there, would love to see that.
Oh I wish Stuart! We intend to go back and do the ECT again though :) Jealous you lived there!!!!
The lassie has a great sense of humour. And it's appreciated by a bloke old enough to be her grandfather, or her
grandmother's husband (which is the same thing) right down here in Queensland. Beside the Pacific Ocean, our
shores washed by the Coral Sea. Yet I treasure Scotland, the home of my father. My wife and I visited on somewhat
of a pilgrimage. He was a Dundee lad. And we loved Dundee. The only bunny we saw was on Law Hill in the center
of Dundee. At first light of day it hopped around beneath our feet, unaware of our presence. So nice!
Thanks so much for the message John!
I live in Nova Scotia (New Scotland) and love that you made a reference to the Cabot Tower, in St. John's, Newfoundland. Also the toque (what we call a beanie) was not lost on me as I noticed it was also from Newfoundland.
Hey Adam! Cheers mate :)
Awwww sooo excited about this. We may well be able to visit here on our trip in August. Our Scottish family on my dad's side (Wick and Inverness) ,may even meet us halfway. Thanks for the idea 💡 x. Ps photos at end are fab.
Thanks so much! Be sure to book in advance, a popular wee trip! And just forewarning - the wee puffins start to fly away to the sea again in August!
Great video looking forward to visiting Scotland soon as it ok to Travel Greetings from Ireland.
All the best Declan!
Great overview, looks amazing
Cheers! :)
Oh another awesome video this is really tempting me to get up to Scotland so many lovely places 😊 you shown the puffins are awesome 👌
I love those wee guys!
Well thanks yet again guys, Scotland just keeps on surprising me, but think I'll be taking the slow boat,nice wee cup o tea,then fish and chips in anstruther,
And the puffin's, well that's just a bonus 🤠
I was thinking "Gosh that reminds me of Cabot Tower" just as you said it.
Haha great minds!
Love yr videos Steve, have to tell you that in the late 70s we lived in the Uk in the town of Leighton Buzzard which had a weird phone arrangement and local and most UK calls were local, but when friends from Australia called ,they went through a manual exchange… and phone number was ….Puffin 240. My mum became friendly with some of the exchange ladies. So Puffins are special for us. Keep up the videos …David & Sheila Jolly…..Melbourne.
Superb! Thanks so much for sharing :)
Fantastic Steve, loved, loved, loved it. Best wishes Sue, Brian and The Westies👍🐶🐾🐾🐾😀
All the best to all of you! Thanks :)
You guys are an inspiration! Thank you!
Thanks so much Doug! :)
Great video. It really made me feel I was there. And you were so lucky to have such beautiful weather for the trip. Definitely tempting to visit Anstruther and the Isle of May! Used to see puffins (and a whole host of other birds) in Shetland.
Cheers Barney! Love going right up to the top of Unst, the puffins love it there too :) Oh we were so stressed about the forecast for this trip, but it came good just in time :)
An absolutely beautiful video thank you both so much,and stay well.
Thank you! You too!
Such photogenic wee beasties always wondered what the trip would be like thanks for sharing it
Thanks for joining us David! :)
What an amazing video, you have inspired me to go on a wee trip there !!!
Thanks Audrey! You’ll love it there 😊
Great vid. I JUST WANT TO SEE A PUFFIN BEFORE I DIE!🤣🤣In France in 2017 went to Perros Guirec in Brittany headed for an island where puffins were supposed to be. It was May, but surprise, surprise, no puffins. Heaps of other types (so much so that the guano made the island look snow covered) So now have to wait for a trip to the UK before I get to do this. Did not know about May Island BTW. More accessible than Staffa which is(was) the plan in a couple of years. Thanks for posting
Hi Steve, l have thurly enjoyed your video, & what a trimendous video it was, but just aside, l remember decades ago when it was the pirate era was on & there pirate ship called Radio Scotland, & they were moving to a different place & l remember one of the DJ 's saying that they were passing the Isle of May, now I've seen what the lsle of May looks like - so thanks to the person or persons who made this great video ( keep it up & keep safe)
I can see us making this trip soon!
Cracking video mate 👍
Please do! Cheers!
Really great video again Steve. So interesting and beautifully filmed.
Many thanks Mike!
Great video loved the Puffins and that trip back looked amazing
Cheers Jim! It really was a perfect day :)
WOW just seeing this video..... I'd be there in a heartbeat if it meant seeing the puffins.
Great to see you have finally caught up with the little fellas Steve.What a lovely island,somewhere else to add to the list of places to visit whilst I visit your fair land.Thanks mate,stay safe both of you.
And you Bob! Cheers!
Just glorious. You'll have very happy memories of that little trip, on such a beautiful day too.
It really was a pleasure from start to finish, now we just want to go back Sue!
I love this video very much. The scenery of the Isle of May is stunning. The photos of puffins are excellent. Thank you, Steve.
Very welcome! I'd love to go back and see the wee puffins again!
This is on our agenda, so glad you did it!
Really an awesome trip! Please book last-minute on a nice day though :)
This is a great blog, it reminds me a wee bit of Weir's Way ( Yes I'm that Old!!!) Keep it going Steve!!
Absolutely fantastic video, thank you
Fantastic video ! I bet you both slept well after all that sea air :-) Another place added to my list
So true! Knackered! Thanks so much :)
So fascinating. Scotland is full of wonder. I loved our short two weeks there. Mainly to see where my dad came from in Dundee, on Tay.
But we crammed so much into those two weeks. I'd love to come back again before they lay me in the pine box. The Isle of May might
be small, but I was with you over those rocky paths to see the puffins. If I was with you literally, I'd really be pantin' and puffin' to see the
puffins. Love your videos, keep them coming!