Our next adventure took us to the Isle of May, known locally as "The May." This island is now a nature reserve owned by Scottish Natural Heritage, with important colonies of nesting and visiting seabirds including puffins and terns. Zodiac cruises round the island took us close to nesting kittiwakes, cormorants and gullemots. A highlight was the large number of gray seals and their pups in the coves who frequently came out to greet passing zodiacs.
The Isle of May was an important medieval pilgrimage center for St. Ethernan, a monk from Iona who converted the Picts to Christianity. Recent excavation on the island by the University of Glasgow has revealed a whole monastery, which we were able to visit. The excavation will be complete and an interpretation center ready this time next year.
