A Modern Island Life

Isle of May nature reserve manager David Steel describes his unusual existence amidst the Firth of Forth's wildlife - and its weather

- CHERYL PEEBLES

FOR the last decade, David Steel has spent nine months a year living and working on the windswept Isle of May in the Firth of Forth.

His home is a former lighthouse keeper's cottage overlooking the North Sea and the island's small jetty.

Sharing his picturesque but rugged and often challenging habitat are tens of thousands of seabirds including the iconic puffin - as well as seals, mice, rabbits and rats.

The Isle of May lies 8km (5 miles) off the coast of Anstruther. It is a national nature reserve owned by NatureScot and an important centre for seabird and seal research.

David is NatureScot's reserve manager. He admits, "It's not everyone's cup of tea to live on an island."

However, for the dedicated ornithologist, who has been fascinated by birds since childhood, it's paradise.

"I'd do this for nothing," he says.

At the end of March each year, David (47) says goodbye to his family and it is November before he returns, staying home only until spring.

He's been doing this for 24 years. That includes 10 years working on the Isle of May and, before that, 14 years on the Farne Islands, off the Northumberland coast.

His stint on the Isle of May begins as seabirds start arriving for breeding season and continues long after they have departed and seal pupping is under way.

He works long hours from May to July, when he's joined by up to 18 scientists, PhD students and volunteers but he's rewarded by being able to live in remarkable surroundings, at close quarters to his beloved birds don't tell the puffins, but the razorbill is his favourite.

David says, "It is just an incredible place. I always have an early start in the morning to have an hour to myself and I walk around the island. You're at one with nature and the island. It's good for the soul."