Porcupine
Marine Natural History Society

 

Porcupine Autumn Field Meeting - St Abbs, Scottish Borders 3rd-5th October 2009

St. Abbs is situated on the East coast of Scotland, 12 miles north of Berwick upon Tweed and only a few miles off the A1. This area has something for everyone interested in the marine environment: spectacular coastline, extensive rocky shores, sandy beaches and some of the best diving in the UK. It also lies within the St. Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve, celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year.

There are two options on this fieldtrip, surveying the rocky shore and diving. There is plenty of time for those of you who would like to do both. People not diving will have the opportunity to go on a boat trip in the evening to experience the spectacular coastline of the St. Abbs Head National Nature Reserve, from the sea.

Rocky shore survey

The plan is to survey the rocky shore to the north of Coldingham Sands and Linkum shore to the south. We have the use of Coldingham village hall in the afternoon to have a closer look at specimens. Please bring a microscope if you have one. Our aim at the end of the three days is to provide the St. Abbs and Eyemouth VMR with a comprehensive species list. No experience necessary just lots of enthusiasm.

Diving

The diving around St. Abbs Head is spectacular and you can get some of the best visibility in the UK. The dive boat Selkie has been booked for the Saturday and Sunday, there will also be the option to either boat or shore dive on the Monday. Our skipper Pete Gibson is the best and most entertaining skipper at St. Abbs, if you don't mind a few dirty jokes! The cost per dive is 10 pounds. You can do either one or two dives a day. Please indicate the day and the number of dives on the booking form. Air/Nitrox and equipment hire is available at Scoutscroft Dive Centre.

There are 10 places available on the boat per dive so book early to save disappointment. For those of you familiar with Seasearch, I'm sure the VMR would appreciate a bit of form filling.

There will be a group meal at the New Inn, Coldingham on Saturday night. Please tick the appropriate box on the booking form to reserve your place. I hope you will be able to join us. What ever the weather it will be an interesting and most of all FUN fieldtrip. If you have never been to St. Abbs now's your chance. If the weather is rubbish then we can always have a go at surfing! Yes, you can go surfing at Coldingham Sands.

Please send your completed booking form to Fiona Crouch, Marine Biological Association, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, Devon. PL1 2PB. Email ficr@mba.ac.uk

Accommodation List

Below are a few suggestions for B&B's in the area. If you have any problems finding accommodation then please let me know as I have a few other contacts. If you are feeling adventurous or money is a bit tight then you could try wild camping at Coldingham Sands.

Millrace Cottage, Northfield Farm, St. Abbs, Berwickshire, TD14 5QF Tele: 018907 71346 Mobile: 07861 389224 E-mail: louise@woolfish.co.uk

Springbank Cottage, The Harbour, St. Abbs, Berwickshire, TD14 5PW Tele: 018907 71477 Fax: 018907 71577 E-mail: davemac55@hotmail.com Website: www.springbankcottage.co.uk

Priory View, Eyemouth Road, Coldingham, Berwickshire, TD14 5NH Tele: 018907 71525 Mobile: 0777 644 7183 E-mail: prioryview@btinternet.com Website: www.prioryview.com

Dunlaverock House, Coldingham Sands, Coldingham, TD14 5PA Tele: 018907 71450 Fax: 018907 71103 E-mail: info@dunlaverock.com Website: www.dunlaverock.com

Rhovanion, St. Abbs Road, Coldingham, TD14 5NR. Tele: 018907 71760. Website www.rhovanion.org

St. Vedas Hotel, Coldingham Bay, Coldingham, Berwickshire, Scotland. TD14 5ND. Tele: 08907 71679. Email: info@StVedas.co.uk Website: www.stvedas.co.uk/hotel_accommodation.htm

Groups could try renting a caravan or chalet at Scoutscroft caravan site http://www.scoutscroft.co.uk/