Scottish Seabird Centre

14 August 2024

Would you like to experience the incredible spectacle of a Northern gannet colony? This blog lists several places you can spot them in Scotland between February and October! The following locations are just some of the incredible places you can visit to have a good chance of spotting them. From the remote and rugged islands of St Kilda to the Bass Rock, read on to find out where you can go to spend some time with Scotland's largest seabird.

St Kilda
Troup Head
Hermaness NNR
Noss NNR
The Bass Rock
Ailsa Craig

1. St Kilda (National Trust for Scotland) Not only is St Kilda a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's also home to one of the largest Northen gannet colonies in the world. Day trips are available from several boat operators.

2. Troup Head (RSPB Scotland) These seabird breeding cliffs are found on Aberdeenshire’s Northern coastline and are home to one of the few mainland gannet colonies in Scotland, providing fantastic, accessible views.

3. Hermaness NNR (NatureScot) Located in Shetland, Hermaness is at the very North of Scotland. With thousands of gannets nesting along the towering cliffs, this is a very scenic breeding colony.

4. Noss NNR (NatureScot) Noss can be found just off the East coast of mainland Shetland. It's a haven for seabirds, with a particularly large gannet colony. A ferry service runs regularly, with wildlife boat trips available too.

5. The Bass Rock An iconic feature of Scotland's coastline, the Bass Rock is home to the world's largest Northern gannet colony. We run regular guided wildlife boat trips, allowing you to view (& smell & hear!) the breeding colony up close.

6. Ailsa Craig Located in the Firth of Clyde, this is one of the world’s largest Northern gannet colonies. Take a boat trip out to see the gannets, or look out for them diving close to shore from the Isle of Arran & the Ayrshire coast.

Header Image (c) James Glossop
Listing Image (c) Greg Macvean