Craigleith Island
Scottish island near North Berwick with seabird colonies
A low sandstone island off North Berwick, Craigleith hosts puffin colonies, seabird cliffs and nearby dive sites; boat trips and wildlife photography bring day-trippers from the coast.
Craigleith at a Glance#
About Craigleith#
Craigleith is a small uninhabited island in the Firth of Forth off the coast of North Berwick, Scotland, known for its seabird colonies.
The island is visited for wildlife viewing, particularly seabirds such as puffins and guillemots that nest on its cliffs and rocky ledges. Boat trips from North Berwick offer views of the island and its birdlife during the breeding season.
Craigleith has a history of small-scale quarrying and occasional lighthouse activity in the Firth of Forth, but it has been primarily valued for its wildlife and marine environment in modern times. Conservation designations protect its seabird populations.
Lying off the East Lothian coast near North Berwick, the island sits in the Firth of Forth and forms part of the chain of islands and rock stacks visible from the town’s shoreline.
- Birdlife: Important seabird nesting site within the Firth of Forth, noted for colonies of puffins, guillemots and other coastal birds; access is generally by boat and landing is restricted to protect wildlife.
How to Get to Craigleith#
Wildlife boat trips to Craigleith depart from North Berwick harbour; local operators offer half-day excursions focused on seabird watching.
Tips for Visiting Craigleith#
- Boat trips from North Berwick provide the best views of the island's cliffs and seabird colonies - book with local operators who time runs to the tides.
- Do not attempt to land unless on an authorised wildlife tour; the island is protected and landing is restricted.
- Bring binoculars: puffins, razorbills and guillemots are visible from the water in breeding season (April-August).
Best Time to Visit Craigleith#
Visit in late spring and early summer for seabird colonies and calmer sea conditions.
Weather & Climate near Craigleith#
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 19°C. Moderate rainfall (630 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 0° - 6° | -2° | 57 mm | overcast | 90% | 6.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 7° | -1° | 40 mm | overcast | 89% | 6.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.3h |
| March | Acceptable | 2° - 9° | 1° | 46 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 40 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 7° | 47 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.8 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 16.2h |
| June | Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 49 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.3h |
| July | Good | 10° - 19° | 15° | 55 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.8h |
| August | Good | 10° - 19° | 14° | 60 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.4 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 14.9h |
| September | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 60 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.3 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.6h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 6° | 63 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.2h |
| November | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 2° | 58 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.0h |
| December | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 55 mm | overcast | 90% | 6.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
