North England Bass Rock ... Worth a visit?

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We will be in Northumberland later in the year and once again I will be visiting the Farne Islands to photograph the seabirds, Bass Rock isn't far away and it seems that it's possible to book a trip which includes landing on Bass Rock to see the Gannets.
Looking at the site that sells the tickets for the trip and landing the cost is around £125, which strikes me as a bit high, and a waiver is required which looks to me like a bit of a responsibility cop-out by the trip provider (though I am not a lawyer and it may be perfectly in order).
So ... is the trip worth doing?
I've photographed Gannets at Bempton Cliffs and will undoubtedly do so again, but would I regret not paying £125 and signing my life away if I didn't visit Bass Rock? :)
 
Nobody been or can offer local insight?
 
As no-one with a better perspective has answered... I haven't landed on the rock but have been round it a couple of times which is well worth it. I would like to land, but am not sure it would be worth that amount. If you are heading up that way, I would strongly recommend both a trip round the rock and some time on the Isle of May.
 
I looked at something similar a couple of years back. I found a company that would do a weekend with trips to Bass Rock on Saturday and Farnes on Sunday. Price was a bit steep as you have found. Only trouble is the trips was all they organised. Transport to departure point for Bass Rock, transport to Seahouses and overnight accomdation was not included and I would have to fix that all myself. They were very vague about sailing/return times and I was faced with a longish drive early on Saturday morning or take Friday off to get there. The same applied on Saturday night/Sunday morning.

I decided not to bother. Went to Farnes with Billy Shiel as part of a long weekend with SWMBO in Bamburgh. Not made Bass Rock yet.

I got the impression that a standard Billy Shiel trip was as good as anything they would provide. If I lived close to Bass Rock I'm sure that there would be better options than these trips, but they seem popular so maybe I'm wrong.
 
mickledore said:
I looked at something similar a couple of years back. I found a company that would do a weekend with trips to Bass Rock on Saturday and Farnes on Sunday. Price was a bit steep as you have found. Only trouble is the trips was all they organised. Transport to departure point for Bass Rock, transport to Seahouses and overnight accomdation was not included and I would have to fix that all myself. They were very vague about sailing/return times and I was faced with a longish drive early on Saturday morning or take Friday off to get there. The same applied on Saturday night/Sunday morning.

I decided not to bother. Went to Farnes with Billy Shiel as part of a long weekend with SWMBO in Bamburgh. Not made Bass Rock yet.

I got the impression that a standard Billy Shiel trip was as good as anything they would provide. If I lived close to Bass Rock I'm sure that there would be better options than these trips, but they seem popular so maybe I'm wrong.
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Thanks, Billy Shiel's trips for all day with landings on the two islands is excellent ... we went last year and I'm back again this year.
Just wondered whether Bass Rock was as interesting a place or whether it would be money wasted TBH :)
 
I have done Bass Rock three times, but have never landed.

Twice on commercial trips around the rock. They were great for getting excellent close up pics of the gannets. Whilst it would be interesting to land, I not sure you would get any better pics of gannets and therefore not worth the extra money.

If you go, you must also visit the secret harbour and possibly Tantallon Castle

The third trip (well actually it was my first visit) was without a camera. I kayaked out there and then onto the three other islands - Craigleth, Lamb and Fidra. We landed on Fidra for a spot of lunch. Needed to spend a penny. Did it discreetly, but when we got back found out the bird centre in North Berwick have cameras on the island that can be viewed in the bird centre. Got no complaints, so assume I wasn't on camera!
 
Nikon Ken said:
I have done Bass Rock three times, but have never landed.

Twice on commercial trips around the rock. They were great for getting excellent close up pics of the gannets. Whilst it would be interesting to land, I not sure you would get any better pics of gannets and therefore not worth the extra money.

If you go, you must also visit the secret harbour and possibly Tantallon Castle

The third trip (well actually it was my first visit) was without a camera. I kayaked out there and then onto the three other islands - Craigleth, Lamb and Fidra. We landed on Fidra for a spot of lunch. Needed to spend a penny. Did it discreetly, but when we got back found out the bird centre in North Berwick have cameras on the island that can be viewed in the bird centre. Got no complaints, so assume I wasn't on camera!
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Cheers Ken, very helpful :)
 
Have you ever considered going out on trips run by Steve Race out from Bridlington. A fraction of the cost of Bass Rock and you'll get the gannets diving to the side of the boat. Usually out for about 4/5 hours at a time and well worth it.
 
Di Stone said:
Have you ever considered going out on trips run by Steve Race out from Bridlington. A fraction of the cost of Bass Rock and you'll get the gannets diving to the side of the boat. Usually out for about 4/5 hours at a time and well worth it.
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I have Di yes but as we will be in Northumberland I was interested in the Bass Rock option ... looks like the option Ken mentioned will be a good alternative and a bit like the Steve Race trip but obviously less photographer oriented :)
 
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