Close Encounters of the Bird Kind

Close Encounters of the Bird Kind

The award-winning wildlife visitor experience, the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, is leading the way in environmentally-friendly business practices not just in Scotland but across the world…

Contributing to a cleaner, greener Scotland is top of the agenda for the Scottish Seabird Centre on Scotland's east coast, 25 miles from Edinburgh.

The centre was officially opened by HRH The Prince of Wales in May 2000. Tom Brock OBE, 45, has been its Chief Executive since 1999.

"The Scottish Seabird Centre was born from a community project identified by the people of North Berwick to benefit the town, the local people and its visitors, but in a way which would not disturb the wildlife, using modern technology," explained Mr Brock.

The Scottish Seabird Centre is set in a beautiful location overlooking the Firth of Forth, where you can get a bird's eye view of Scotland's wildlife.

"We have an amazing range from grey seals to bottlenose dolphins. It's unusual to be able to see these creatures within such a short distance from a capital city."

Since it opened six years ago, the centre has had a strong 'green' agenda – Tom Brock is a keen supporter of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

"The Green Business Tourism Scheme (run by Scotland's national tourist board, VisitScotland) helps identify tourism businesses that are thinking about the environment in their day-to-day operations, in the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly way  possible."

"For example, at the centre, we use local suppliers, encourage people to travel here by public transport, use alternative energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines to power the centre, minimise the amount of waste produced, and choose environmentally-friendly materials to print with.

"It's all about thinking about the environmental consequences of everything we do to minimise the impact on the environment. These are measures all businesses in Scotland can, and should, be taking."

The centre has been part of the Green Business Tourism Scheme since it opened and has won the Gold Award, the highest honour under the scheme.   

But this is not the only award bestowed on the centre.

"We won The Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2005 in the sustainability category. This is a huge award and we were the only winner in Scotland. It was a great recognition for our staff," explained Mr Brock.

It's clear the centre is not just any ordinary tourist attraction.

"The main reason we are here is for environmental education. We use the centre as a demonstration to show that we are doing something about climate change and the fact that all of us have a role to play. Being part of the scheme shows that we practice what we preach."

So do visitors appreciate what you are trying to achieve at the centre?

"Yes, we find that visitors want to visit places which can demonstrate a positive impact on the environment. We find particularly those from countries such as Germany and Holland really consider this when choosing where to visit in Scotland."

It sounds like the centre is doing a great job contributing to a 'greener' Scotland.

"I think it most definitely is. Scotland is now established as the number one wildlife tourist destination in Europe. We are aiming to make it the most sustainable too. All industries in Scotland should be working towards reducing their environmental impact and thinking about future generations.

"We are already the leader in the green business scheme with other countries copying what Scotland is doing.  We want the Scottish tourism industry to lead the way."  

Mr Brock and the Scottish Seabird Centre are great advocates for the scheme and encourage more businesses to get involved.

"People come to Scotland from all over the world because of the wildlife – from whale watching on the west coast to our centre in the east – and the landscape, so we need to make sure we don't destroy what people have come to see. Plus, wildlife tourism brings money into the country, in particular to small communities."

The centre has much to offer visitors, from the live webcams offering close up views of the fascinating wildlife, to a programme of events for all the family.

"I am most proud of the live interactive cameras – we have six. Every day you can see something different, zooming in on birds 14 miles away, broadcasting quality images – it takes your breath away. 

"We try to make it as visual an experience as possible. And we have translations for visitors from abroad and some of our volunteers speak different languages."

The Scottish Seabird Centre is highly regarded across the globe as an outstanding and innovative wildlife centre.

"The centre is established as a world leader in live interactive wildlife viewing. We advise other wildlife attractions around the world and many people come to see us from abroad. The Bass Rock is the largest gannet (Britain's largest seabird) colony in the world. Even wildlife expert David Attenborough heralded it as one of the wildlife wonders of the world."    

Tom Brock has ever-evolving plans for the future of the centre.

"We are continuously improving the experience – it's all about using the latest technology. So we will develop the centre to make use of this. We're doing more and more about environmental issues which face the planet and finding ways in which people can help."

"My favourite place in Scotland has to be the Bass Rock because you're surrounded by 100,000 gannets! The rock is known as Scotland's Alcatraz – there was once a  prison there which has featured in many episodes throughout Scottish history. 

So which of our feathered friends does this birdman favour?  

"My favourite birds are the puffins – everybody loves them. It's peak puffin season at the moment so they are at their best!"

Related links

• Scottish Seabird Centre
• About East Lothian
• Scottish Wildlife
• The Big Question: Scots and environmental research
• Turning Over New Leaves: the importance of trees to the Scottish environment
• Green is the New Black: the rise of green tourism in Scotland
• Living a Greener Life: Hugh Raven, Soil Association Scotland
• Top 5 Places That Make Scotland Green: Robin Harper Green MSP