The Sula Sgeir Black-browed Albatross was seen well on the 2007 trips. Photo: Robert Laughton

Sula Sgeir, 40 miles north-west of Cape Wrath, Scotland, is a spectacular island that harbours 10,000 pairs of Gannets as well as many Common Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins. For at least the past three summers it has also been home to an adult Black-browed Albatross, giving British birders a rare opportunity to add this Southern Ocean species to their lists.

But how to get there? Last year Rare Bird Alert ran three trips to the island and on each occasion the albatross was seen, so in the hope that it will return in 2008, the company is organising one more overnight trip to the gannetry on Sula Sgeir on 28-29 May. The timing coincides with skua migration, so there is every chance that participants will also enjoy the rare sight of Long-tailed and Pomarine Skuas in breeding plumage – a daily occurrence on the trips in 2007.

Long-tailed Skua has been seen regularly on this trip. Photo: Steve Young (www.birdsonfilm.com)

As well as great seabirding, the voyage should provide some excellent cetacean watching: White-beaked and Risso’s Dolphins are regular, as are Minke Whales. Time permitting, the ship will also cruise close to the remote island of North Rona, where large numbers of North Atlantic Grey Seals can be seen loafing on the rocks.

The trip departs from Ullapool, and at the start and end of it White-tailed Eagles are often in view – one flew over the ship last year! Late May is a good time to see many more of Scotland’s special birds, and including mainland birding sites in your journey to or from Ullapool is relatively easy.

Grab your last chance to see this magnificent bird. Photo: Robert Laughton

This is likely to be the last opportunity to visit Sula Sgeir for several years. There is no boat service to the island, and small charter vessels will only attempt the voyage when there is a lengthy window of near-perfect weather. To make this trip, Rare Bird Alert has chartered a 250-ft Antarctic expedition cruise ship that accommodates 50 passengers. Built for the inclement conditions of the Southern Ocean, it will comfortably make the voyage to Sula Sgeir in almost any weather.

Will the albatross be present in 2008? With luck it will return for at least a fourth summer, following the trend set by the Black-browed Albatross that returned to Hermaness, Shetland, each year from 1973-95.

● For full information and bookings, go to www.rarebirdalert.co.uk or call Brian Egan on 01603 457016 during office hours.

RBA runs the only tailor-made trip to see the albatross. Photo: Robert Laughton

Getting there

Drive time to Ullapool from:

• Inverness is 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Glasgow is 4 hours 30 minutes.
• Manchester is 8 hours.

If you are interested in car share, get details of other passengers who may be willing to share when you book. There is an EasyJet air service to Inverness.

Date: 28 May 2008 (8.30 pm), returning 29 May (6 pm).

Cost: £299 or £319 per person (includes berth in a twin-berth cabin, full board and tea and coffee; travel to and from Ullapool is not included).

For full information and bookings go to www.rarebirdalert.co.uk or call Brian Egan on 01603 457016 during office hours.