Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan recently visited the Shiant Isles to see the work done to improve conditions for nesting seabirds.
The Shiant Isles are one of the most important breeding colonies for seabirds in Europe and play host to one of Britain’s largest puffin colonies. The visit was organised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland. During the trip, Dr Allan, pictured, was shown the effects of the Shiant Isles Recovery Project, designed to make the islands safe for nesting seabirds by eliminating the invasive, non-native black rats found on the islands. The Shiants were offcially declared rat-free earlier this year.