Anstruther Pleasure Cruises
Tel 07957 585200
Anstruther Pleasure Cruises

The May Princess sails from Anstruther to the beautiful Isle of May almost every day from 1st April to 30th September. Licensed by the Maritime Coastguard Agency to carry 100 passengers, she has been operating on this run for the last twenty years. The trip on the boat lasts from around 4.5 to 5 hours in total, which includes 2.5 to 3 hours ashore on the Island, and if the weather allows a slow circumference of the Island by the boat to allow visitors to enjoy the spectacular scenery and wonderful wildlife from the sea. On board enjoy the commentary and assistance during the trip from our experienced Skipper and crew, who will try and make your day out a most memorable one. The boat also has a small snack bar and toilets.

The May Island as it is known locally is a remarkable island which lies only 5 miles off the Fife coast and is an important National Nature Reserve owned and run by NatureScot (SNH) and is open for visitors from the beginning of April until the end of September. Christened the jewel of the Forth by Anstruther Pleasure Cruises many years ago for good reason, this is truly a beautiful Island, peaceful with stunning views everywhere.

NatureScot (SNH) have rangers stationed on the Isle of May during this time to make your visit more enjoyable and informative, they will greet you on the pier when you arrive, give a short talk on the latest information concerning the wildlife and they will also patrol the island during your visit. Isle of May is home to an incredible array of wildlife, up to 200,000 seabirds can nest on the May, which can include 100,000 Puffins, there are also large colonies of Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Shags (best time for Puffins is from April to end of July ) also about 300 seals live all year round on Isle of May. Porpoise and Dolphin and the odd whale can be seen, you just have to be on the trip on the right day and be a bit lucky.

The Isle of May can lay claim to having Scotland's oldest Bird Observatory, which was founded in 1934 and manned by volunteers between March and November, the remains of a 12th Century Monastery built in memory of St Adrian martyred on the island by Norsemen in the year 875 and the oldest light house in Scotland dating back to 1636.

 

About the May Isle



Sailing Times

Sailing Information