Between 27-29 June, we were delighted to plunge into Scotland’s seas to celebrate Scotland’s first Snorkel Festival! This exciting, first of its kind event was led by the Berwickshire Marine Reserve and supported by other organisations including Snorkel Wild, Blue Adventures, the British Sub Aqua Club, the Coastal Communities Network and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The event was made possible thanks to funding from the Blue Marine Foundation. 

Our Engagement Officer, Rachel Faichnie, and Marine Policy Inclusion Officer, Elouise Dalziel, were both in attendance and tell us more.

 

The Berwickshire Marine Reserve team have a long-standing passion for championing sea snorkelling locally; six years ago, they worked with our Living Seas team to create the Berwickshire snorkel trail and have since led a variety of innovative snorkel sessions across communities. At the festival, we celebrated the re-launch of the Berwickshire snorkel trail leaflet, which was upgraded to enhance the relevance and impact of this resource. The new leaflet also signposts to the launch of the Trust’s new snorkel trail network website which profiles the network of over 80 snorkel sites in greater detail, encouraging snorkellers to leave Google Reviews of their ocean adventures.

The Snorkel Festival kicked off on Friday evening, with a celebratory gathering at Blue Adventures. Welcome talks were given by Lauren Nieuwenhuys (Berwickshire Marine Reserve), Sally Walsh (Blue Adventures and Chair of Berwickshire Marine Reserve) and Elouise, thanking everyone for attending, supporting the event and building anticipation for the exciting weekend ahead.

Saturday morning started off with a fine rain shower; Trust staff and Young Leaders huddling closely into the sea wall at Eyemouth beach for shelter. Thankfully the shower passed quickly so the recording equipment could make an appearance! Elouise met journalist Isla Todd for some filming, talking about Scotland’s Snorkel Trail Network as part of an ITV news special covering the weekend-long event. Our favourite podcast duo, Ed Turpin and Rachel, sat on the beach to interview Young Leader, Jonny McMillian, and Elouise for features in the exciting new season of the Trust’s Words of the Wild podcast, coming soon.

With the sun shining and seals spy-hopping in the bay, the Young Leaders then embraced the spirit of the festival by getting suited up and venturing into the water, to try out the snorkel trail site for themselves. Several people had never snorkelled in Scotland before but were excited to be there giving it a go.

 

© Rachel Faichnie, Scottish Wildlife Trust

 

Let’s hear how our Young Leaders got on:

 

“Exploring the snorkel trail outside Eyemouth is an outstanding experience, the gardens of kelp are home to a wide diversity of species, and I could easily spend hours exploring every rocky crevasse and discover something new.”

Jonny McMillian

 

© Hayley Bannister

 

“My favourite parts were seeing so many different fish under the water and having them swim up to us, seeing a crab run along the seabed, and being able to see the patterns of sunlight coming through the water around us. I was also surprised that I wasn’t nearly as cold as I was expecting with the right kit! It was such a good day for it, and Josh and I enjoyed it so much that we ended up going to three further snorkel trail sites on our trip up north – I think we’re officially hooked!”

Kate Wilkinson

 

“The snorkel was incredible! I think me and my snorkelling buddy Hayley spent over an hour in the water as we were so absorbed and didn’t notice the time passing or even the cold water! I was in awe of how beautiful the different varieties of seaweed and plant life looked in the sunlight. It was far from the gloomy waters Scots sometimes complain of from the land! One of the highlights for me was an encounter with a large crab basking in a patch of sunlight, deep in the seaweed, appearing to look up at us. It was a special moment!”

Rebecca Peedle

 

Meanwhile, Berwickshire Marine Reserve staff and volunteers welcomed over 50 visitors to the Hippodrome, with stalls set up by several marine-minded organisations. This included a stall spotlighting the Trust’s Sea the Connection project, which aims to reduce barriers to marine decision-making, particularly for under-served voices, through ocean literacy; an approach which helps people explore and develop their connections to the sea.

As part of Sea the Connection , we were delighted to work with Genine Keogh at Snorkel Wild to offer a snorkel taster session for six local residents who had never snorkelled in Scotland before (most of whom had never snorkelled at all before). Special thanks to St Vedas Surf Shop for their help in providing the wetsuits.

 

Here’s what one of the snorkellers said:

“I found it so fascinating to actually be able to see what was actually living under the surface of the water and see the sea life in their habitat and alive, I most definitely would love to be able to snorkel again in the future.”

 

Meanwhile, the Young Leaders were set up on a stall at St Abbs Harbour with author Emma Taylor from Snorkelology and her daughter Charlie. Earlier this year, Emma and Gordon Taylor launched their beautiful book Snorkelling Britain, containing 100 ocean adventures for snorkellers all across Britain alongside lots of other brilliant resources. The Trust were delighted to support the creation of this guidebook; visit our snorkel website for a special discount code to receive 20% off the guidebook cost.

The Young Leaders engaged with St Abbs locals and visitors, chatting all things snorkelling. Our Young Leaders had various activities and games for people to play and encouraged everyone to add to their ocean memories mural. Do you have a favourite memory of being by the sea?

 

© Rachel Faichnie, Scottish Wildlife Trust

 

Snorkelling festivities continued across all six snorkel site locations, over the course of the whole weekend. From pool-based snorkel sessions for children to several guided snorkels led by the fantastic Snorkel Wild and Blue Adventures, a total of 42 people were guided in the water, with others such as the Young Leaders having their own self-led ocean adventures.

 

Here’s what someone said about their beginner snorkel session:

“I think I’m hooked and definitely want to do it again and definitely learn to swim. The marine wildlife that was on show even in the shallows was amazing and it was a privilege to be a part of it!”

 

Evening talks by passionate snorkelling advocates were led by Genine Keogh and Emma Taylor, with 42 people attending the festival’s talks. A fantastic marine photo competition was promoted widely, with 57 entries in total and incredible prizes on offer (the grand prize being a fun-filled trip in Orkney); thank you again to each of the businesses who kindly donated such generous prizes. Friends old and new shared laughter and awe for the precious beauty of marine life within Berwickshire Marine Reserve. Special memories were made basking in beautiful sunshine and warm company.

 

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, dive into Scotland’s Snorkel Trail Network this summer for yourself! Tag us on social media and use the #ScottishSnorkelTrails so we can see what ocean adventures you embark upon. Importantly, take the time on our snorkel website to find out what community-led marine activities are happening in the snorkel trail areas – because who said marine protection shouldn’t be fun! At the Trust, we can assure you that it absolutely is.

Only one question remains – are you ready to take the plunge?