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Best Practice Case Studies
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The Scottish Seabird Centre is a community-inspired project which was opened to the public in May 2000. From its stunning position overlooking the Firth of Forth the Centre, a registered charity, aims to raise greater awareness, appreciation and understanding of Scotland's rich natural heritage. The Centre is the hub of a communications network by which it is linked to discreetly located cameras among the bird colonies on the islands in the Firth of Forth, in particular the puffins on Fidra and the gannets of the Bass Rock, one of the largest and most important colonies in the world. Visitors encounter wildlife close up using state of the art cameras which they control themselves. During winter, visitors can also watch the fascinating spectacle a 200+ strong seal colony on the Isle of May Nature Reserve. |
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The Scottish Seabird Centre aims
to promote an appreciation of Scotland's natural environment and establish a
Centre of excellence for the study of seabirds.
Visitors are able to watch the seabirds on large screens at all times of the year. The latest technology allows visitors to rotate and zoom the cameras to get the best possible views of the birds without disturbing them. In due course, it is intended that the infrared technology being used in the project will enable the Centre to be liked to other such centres across Europe. |
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There has been a strong 'ecological agenda' for the centre promoted mainly by the architects but also supported by other members of the design team and by the client group.
A strategy was devised that made the best use of natural materials, natural light and natural ventilation. This then guided the detailed design of the building. |
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As well as being able to withstand a severe marine environment, the construction uses sustainable materials wherever possible. Only four external materials are used: stone, concrete, hardwood that was carefully checked for its source and processing and copper which was used for gutters and downpipes to resist rusting from salt sea spray.
Materials were sourced as near to the site as possible to reduce the impact of transport on the environment. For example, the cement for the concrete came from Dunbar less than 5 miles away, the aggregate for the concrete and the stone for the centre's base came from another local quarry. The roof construction uses 'natural' timber trusses, not laminated timber to avoid the use of chemicals and the need to import timber. The remaining internal finishes are natural and, if of wood, are of 'real wood', such as toilet partitions made up of tongue and groove boarding rather than vinyl or melamine sheet. The use of PVC is avoided with plastic piping being replaced by copper and fire clay piping. |
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The plan shape of the building was designed to give views out in all directions. Glazed internal walls allow visitors to look north out to sea to the various bird colony islands, inland to the dramatic volcanic plug of Berwick Law that lies due south away from the sea and sideways along the sandy beaches that stretch away from the centre.
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| The building is naturally ventilated except in the exhibition area where the heat output from electronic equipment and number of visitors has required a limited amount of forced ventilation. |
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In an exciting development, a new wing of the Centre is being created in a disused building. Interpretation about the marine environment and conservation issues will encourage visitors to take practical action to protect and enhance the environment. The project will include a working demonstration of the solar/wind power system which will supply green energy for the Centre itself. The success of the Centre is recognised across the board. In addition to a Gold Level award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme, it has a 5-star visitor attraction rating from VisitScotland and an Investor in People award. In 2002 the Centre won the Scottish Thistle Tourism and Environment Award. |
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The centre encourages visitors to travel by public transport and gives full details in its promotional leaflet. A special all-inclusive travel and entry package is available in conjunction with ScotRail. In the summer a vintage bus, the East Lothian Explorer connects with some trains, the centre and other visitor attractions in the East Lothian area.
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The centre's leaflet also highlights other things to see and do in North Berwick and is printed on 'environmentally friendly' paper.
For further information about the Scottish Seabird Centre please contact: Linda Dalgleish Tel: 01620 890202 Or visit the Seabird Centre's website at: www.seabird.org Photos courtesy of the Scottish Seabird Centre |
Contact Us
Sustainable Tourism Manager,
VisitScotland,
Cowan House,
Inverness.
IV2 7GF.
Tel: 01463 244671
enquiries@greentourism.org.uk