Our Green Initiative Officer, Lynsey Bland, has just completed the new Biosecurity Accreditation Scheme for commercial boat operators around Scotland 'The Predator Free Certification: better boating for seabirds'.
Hebrides Cruises is very aware of the need to protect our seabird islands from invasive species, such as rats and mice, as we cruise these islands. But it’s important not to be complacent and we will introduce simple measures provided by attending the course, to ensure we have no stowaways on board . These include two kinds of surveillance tool, namely chew card and wax blocks which are both used to record rodent tooth marks. We will check these on a regular basis and invite guests to take part while chatting about the importance of protecting our seabirds. Putting rope guards on throw ropes prevents any rodent climbing aboard and there is even a conservation detection dog who can come aboard to reassure us that our vessels are free of any invasive species.
The greatest terrestrial threat our seabirds face is invasive predators such as rats, mice, stoats, hedgehogs and feral cats which will eat both seabird eggs and chicks. The good news is that this threat is something we can take action with, so the more we ensure prevention and spread the word to boat operators and owners to get involved, the better.
One of the best examples of black rat eradication is The Shiant Islands in The Minch. Following a 3 year eradication program to remove black rats, the islands were declared rat-free in 2018 with breeding storm petrels and a chick recorded for the first time on the islands that year. These simple measures taken by boat owners will ensure invasive species never return to the Shiants or are introduced to any of our precious seabird colonies
From start to finish, our trip was an experience that will remain a lifetime memory. From the welcome aboard by the fantastic crew, through the wildlife encounters around the Small Isles of the Inner Hebrides, to the absolutely fabulous cuisine and beautiful dinner table decorations which changed each day - we had a spectacular time. Skipper Chris ensured our individual needs were catered for aboard the Lucy Mary and during our short trips ashore. Nature guide Indy displayed an amazingly wide knowledge of the wildlife which we encountered and worked with Chris to ensure our experience was wholly memorable. While aboard, Olly, Abby and Calum ensured our trip was totally comfortable and relaxing - quite how Chef Calum managed to create such a tasty and varied menu in the small galley, we just have no idea. Our favourite dish was the rolled stuffed sole on a bed of risotto! The daily routine worked like clockwork, with beds made up and turned down as if by magic - there was even a bedtime chocolate treat left on our pillow each night! Of course our whole experience was made all the more special by the array of wildlife which we saw - there was even a White-tailed Sea Eagle which bade us farewell on our last morning as we left the calm of our overnight mooring on Loch Spelve! To our crew and Hebrides Cruises, thank you. We can't recommend you more highly.
Iain & Sue McNeil: 18 August 2025The Small Isles and sea lochs: Wildlife havens