2 October, 2007

A SHETLAND marine tourism operator was celebrating last night (Monday) after gaining four stars by VisitScotland, the organisation's top accolade.

Run by skipper-guides Jonathan Wills and Alan Longmuir, Seabirds-and-Seals has carried over 22,000 visitors from Lerwick around Noss National Nature Reserve and the island of Bressay since 1992.

Dr Wills said: "We haven't applied for grading under the national scheme before and it's very gratifying to win the top award first time around."

The main attraction for tourists is the 20,000-strong colony of gannets at the 600ft high cliffs of Noss. Other seabirds include puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes and great skuas.

What specially impressed the Visit Scotland inspector who took the trip incognito this summer was the underwater viewing.

The company's tour boat Dunter III anchors in a large cave or near a submerged rock pinnacle, and uses a remotely-operated miniature submarine to film the seabed and cliff walls up to 100 feet below the surface.

"The live colour video pictures are displayed on screens in the cabin, so it's like scuba diving without getting cold and wet," Dr Wills explained.

"Most people are astonished at the profusion of life in the caves and the seaweed forests around our incredibly long coastline. It's true to say there are far more plants and animals under the water than above it.

"Our aim is to show clients the complete ecosystem, from the plankton right through to the fish, the seals and the birds."