Real Bummer

Scottish Seabird Center

Real bummer. Our trip to see puffins on the Isle of May was canceled the day prior to departure. Big disappointment. The island lies about an hour's boat ride off the costal town of North Berwick, which itself is about an hour's train ride from Edinburgh. This is peak season on the island, thousands of puffins and thousands of other seabirds are currently  on the island. Beth's favorite bird is, you guessed it, the puffin.

Access to the island is strictly limited. We were supposed to ride in a small boat operated by the Scottish Seabird Centre (organization with official responsibility for island management) and spend 3-4 hours there. Demand is high, the boat is small, so seats for the entire season book up far in advance; we booked back in January. We have our birdwatching equipment with us:  binoculars, SLR camera, big lens for the camera, tripod.

To add insult to injury, we don't think the cancelation could have been due to weather; blue sky, calm winds, and calm surf were predicted. We suspect, but could not get them to admit, that they were understaffed at the Centre for the annual festival that they are holding this very same weekend. Real bummer.