Case study detail
Puffins spend most of their life at sea. Returning to breed in spring to offshore soil covered islands and headlands.
Scottish Seabird Centre
Contributed by:
Jo Colwell
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The Scottish Seabird Centre, provides a unique and unusual venue within breathtaking surroundings. The centre was built with a strong ecological agenda that included energy and material use.
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Overview
The Scottish Seabird Centre is a community-inspired project which was opened to the public in May 2000. From its position overlooking the Firth of Forth the Centre 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.
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 which then guided the detailed design of the building. As well as being able to withstand a severe marine environment, the construction uses sustainable materials wherever possible.
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. 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.
The socio-economic benefits generated by a successful wildlife tourism initiative are demonstrated by a recent Scottish Seabird Centre survey which shows that the Centre injects £1 million a year into the local economy and supports the equivalent of 35 full-time jobs. Community support and involvement are also vitally important for the success of the Centre and it has over 4,000 members and 50 active volunteers.
The centre encourages visitors to travel by public transport and has worked with ScotRail to promote a special all-inclusive travel and entry package.
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.
Key features
biodiversity initiatives
education
land use
Key data
Project Team: Architects: Simpson & brown
Cost: £3.2 million
Local Authority: East Lothian
Client: Scottish Seabird Centre charity
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