Violent seagulls halt visits to Inchcolm wartime defences

Published on Saturday 11 July 2009 11:49

VIOLENT seagulls are ruining tours to historic Inchcolm Island by attacking visitors there.

The island in the Firth of Forth draws hundreds of tourists every year. The 12th century Augustine abbey and the wartime coastal defences, are major attractions.

But the island, run in part by Historic Scotland, is also a haven for seabirds.

Now visitors, who pay 10 per head for a boat ride from South Queensferry and an extra 4.70 to go ashore, are unable to explore some areas because screaming seagulls intent on protecting their chicks are swooping and striking them on the head. The problem has peaked this summer after the island's seagull population quadrupled from 2,000 to 8,000 birds.

One visitor said: "I took the boat over to Inchcolm to see the war defences, but it was impossible because of the seagulls.

"As soon as you go near the ruins you are aware of a deafening screeching, and the birds begin to swoop down. They go straight for the head, and give you a painful blow."

Graeme Bell, Historic Scotland district architect, said that the situation was "being monitored".