Forth Islands Heritage Group

Following many long years in a state of gestation, Forth Islands Heritage Group was finally born (formed) during the summer of 2020. FIHG is a voluntary umbrella group designed to cater for organisations, groups and individuals, who have an interest in any, or all of the islands lying in the Firth of Forth.

These islands are rich in civil and military history as well as being sanctuaries for breeding seabirds during the spring and summer months and for seals throughout the year but most especially during the autumn months when many hundreds of grey seals return to the islands to have their pups. There are many other wildlife aspects to the Forth islands which FIHG is interested in, which the group pursues or does its best to assist specialists in their particular fields.

Basically FIHG is interested in every island within the River Forth and its members have been involved in a wide variety of historical and wildlife research and recording projects on most of them. FIHG is also interested in mainland sites which are connected with their interests on the islands, e.g. former coast artillery sites, seal haul-outs and seabird colonies, etc.

The main islands which we cover are:

Outer Forth

• Isle of May
• Bass Rock
• Craigleith
• The Lamb
• Fidra
• Eyebroughty

Inner Forth

• Inchkeith
• Inchcolm
• Carr Craig
• Haystack
• Inchmickery
• Inchgarvie

We are also interested in:

• Cramond Island (or Inch)
• Alloa Inch
• Tullibody Inch

Basically the primary goals of FIHG are gathering data on all aspects of wildlife and researching the human histories of the islands, all with a view to bringing this information before the general public in one form or another. This forms the basis of our group. However we rely on the support of our members and wherever possible we cater for photographers, artists, sightseers, etc.

Our access to the islands relies on the permission of their owners and a reliable boat service. Funding is being sought to help reduce the costs of boat charters, however, the cost of a trip is usually divided amongst those participating.

Each year we produce a report on the group’s activities, which is circulated free of charge to all of our members as well as interested organisations and individuals.