INNER FARNE BIRD SANCTUARY: This tour lasts approximately 2½ hours including one hour spent on Inner Farne. The tour includes a cruise around all the Farne Islands, viewing the sea birds on the cliff faces, visiting the Grey Seal colonies and also follows the route Grace Darling and her father took during their heroic rescue in 1838. A full commentary is given en route and the boat stops at Inner Farne for one hour.

National Trust members land free of charge on the Island and for non-members there is a charge payable to the Wardens on landing (see boat charges and landing fees). There is a walkway round the island suitable for disabled visitors and the National Trust have an Information Centre and public toilets on the island. During the breeding season, May 1st - July 31st, Inner Farne tours are only available in the afternoon. In April, August and September the tours are available 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm. (All landings are made entirely at the skippers' discretion).

At 16 acres, Inner Farne is the largest of the Farne Islands and in the Summer months it becomes home to many thousands of nesting seabirds. These birds include Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, Sandwich Terns, Common Terns, Roseate Terns, Arctic Terns, Shags, Cormorants and Eider Ducks.

In the year 678 Inner Farne was also home to St Cuthbert. After 12 years as Prior of Lindisfarne, St.Cuthbert retired to Inner Farne until he became Bishop of Lindisfarne in 684. He returned to Inner Farne when his health deteriorated and died there on 20th March 687. A church was built on the island in 1370 dedicated to St Cuthbert and is open to the public today.

Apart from the Inner Farne Lighthouse, all the buildings on the island date from the monastic period. The "Fishehouse" situated beside the landing jetty is all that remains of the Guest House which was built by St Cuthbert for his visitors. In 1540 a Prior named Castell built the "Pele Tower" to house the monks who lived on the island. The Tower is now home to the National Trust Wardens who live there for 9 months of the year to look after the Island and its' wildlife.

STAPLE ISLAND BIRD SANCTUARY During the breeding season (May 1st until July 31st) it is possible to make a morning landing on Staple Island and the trips leave at 10am and 11am. This trip lasts approximately 2 1/2 hours including an hour on Staple Island. The trip includes sailing round all the other islands including Longstone and Inner Farne and visiting the Grey Seal colonies at several vantage points with full commentary en route. National Trust members land free of charge on Staple Island, non-members pay a landing fee payable to the wardens on the island (see boat charges and landing fees).

Staple Island is a rocky island and as such is not recommended for disabled visitors. It is also an island which is very exposed to the elements which means landing can occasionally be difficult. It is always advisable to ask about the weather and sea conditions before sailing. Landings however are always made at the skippers discretion.

Staple Island is noted for its' vast seabird colonies, especially those of the Auk family such as Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins. Puffins are the most numerous birds that nest on the Farnes with approximately 35,000 pairs recorded in 1999.

"The Pinnacles", isolated rock stacks situated off Staple island, and the cliff faces offer the perfect opportunity to see these birds in their natural habitat. This Island is an ornithologist's and a photographer's dream and for anybody who wants to get close to these birds it's an experience they'll definitely take home with them.

ALL DAY BIRD WATCH (STAPLE ISLAND & INNER FARNE) This tour is particularly suitable for the enthusiastic ornithologist and photographer or anyone who wishes to spend more time observing the wealth of nesting species. The trip departs at 10am and only runs during the breeding season (May, June and July). It lasts approximately 5 1/2 hours and allows 2 hours on Staple Island in the morning and 2 hours on Inner Farne in the afternoon. It is recommended you take a packed lunch as there are no facilities on the islands. National Trust members land free of charge and non-members pay a landing fee to the National Trust wardens on both islands (see boat fares and landing fees). The tour also includes a cruise around all the islands to view nesting seabirds on the cliff faces and the Grey Seal colonies at several vantage points.

Inner Farne and Staple Island are major sanctuaries in the UK for about 22 species of breeding seabirds, including Guillemots, Razorbills, Eider Ducks, 4 species of Terns and a staggering 70,000 Puffins.

LONGSTONE ISLAND This trip will last approximately 2 hours including 30 minutes on the island. The tour will follow the route Grace Darling and her father took on their heroic rescue. It also includes sailing round all the other islands to look at the bird life on the cliff faces and visits the Grey Seal colony with full commentary en route. There are no landing fees payable on this island as it is not a bird sanctuary. All landings are made entirely at the skippers discretion.

Longstone Lighthouse was built in 1825 and first functioned on 15th February 1826. It was made famous by Grace Darling and her father, the lighthouse keeper, William Darling. On the night of the 7th September 1838 they rescued nine survivors from the Forfarshire, a paddle steam ship bound for Dundee, which ran aground on Big Harcar in stormy seas.

The lighthouse was manned for over 160 years until automation was introduced in 1990.

SPECIAL GREY SEAL CRUISE This tour is especially for those who wish to spend more time looking at the Seals at several islands. The duration of this trip is 1½ hours and there is no landing on the Islands. This cruise sails round all the islands giving good views of the nesting birds on the cliff faces and spends time viewing the Grey Seal colony at several vantage points. An informative commentary is given during the cruise which is excellent value for money and suitable for all ages.

There are an estimated 3 to 4 thousand Seals at the Farne Islands and large numbers can be counted basking on the rocks, especially at low water when more of the islands are exposed. With over a thousand Seal pups born each Autumn, fortunately, they show no sign of depletion.

HOLY ISLAND CRUISE Holy Island or Lindisfarne is known as the "cradle of Christianity". It was from here that St Aidan and St Cuthbert spread the Christian message in the seventh century.

This excellent unforgettable trip lasts 4 hours including the 2 hours spent on the island. the boat has a covered area and toilet facilities. Commentary is given en route.

Leaving Seahouses, we sail around Inner Farne viewing many nesting sea birds and visit the Grey Seal colony at Megstone before sailing up the coast to Holy Island. The journey to and from Holy Island provides a good opportunity to see porpoise.

The boat reaches Holy Island at high tide when the island is cut off from the mainland and the true peace and tranquillity of island life can be experienced. Two hours are spent ashore, allowing time to explore this historic island. Popular places to visit are the Priory Museum (English Heritage), Lindisfarne Castle (National Trust), St Aidan's Winery (where a free sample of mead can be enjoyed), and the Museum of Island Life and Visitor Centre. Holy Island also has several cafes, pubs and shops.

On our return journey we sail along the beautiful coastline allowing magnificent seaward views of both Lindisfarne and Bamburgh Castles.

PRIVATE HIRE Our boats are available for private hire for any of the above trips or tailor-made to your requirements e.g. filming, corporate hire, cruise to Holy Island from Berwick, evening cruises to Holy Island to include bar meals on the island for birthdays, anniversaries etc.

DIVING For further details of diving visit our DIVING PAGE.

PELAGIC TRIPS (open sea trips viewing seabirds, dolphins, porpoise and whales), PRIVATE BOAT CHARTERS & SEA FISHING TRIPS: For further information and details about all of our trips onboard "Glad Tidings" please contact: William Shiel: Tel. 01665 721297 (Email: CLICK HERE)