Isle of May: A Small Island off Scotland
A boat trip to the Isle of May, its wildlife, lighthouses and our photographs.
In August 2026, we visited the Isle of May, a small nature reserve in the Firth of Forth off Scotland's east coast.
We took a boat from the fishing town of Anstruther. After a few days in Edinburgh, it was nice to spend time among cliffs, seabirds and the sea.
The island is known for its seabird colonies, grey seals and lighthouses. By August, puffins have usually left after the breeding season, but there is still plenty to see.
One moment I remember particularly well was spotting a small seal resting alone on the shore. We wondered whether it was all right, then learned that seals sometimes rest on land by themselves; being alone does not necessarily mean they need help.
The island also has a long history, including an early nineteenth-century lighthouse associated with Robert Stevenson.
The little seal is probably what I remember best.