I'm going to try this one more time and then I'll promise to put it to bed if I get no replies. Has anyone out there ever taken a Billy Shiel's boat trip through the Farne Islands with time to walk around Lindisfarne (Holy Isle) for a few hours? Would you recommend it, or should we just drive over the causeway. They say they get to Lindisfarne at high tide when the tourists have left. Is it that crowded that this would make a big difference? Please help. Nobody seems to know about this. If Foderites don't know, then it's impossible! Thanks.

I have not taken this boat trip but I have driven on to Holy Island several times. Whether it is crowded during low tide depends on a lot of things - Weekends tend to be crowded (but not VERY). Weekdays less so. Drippy days less crowded, warm clear days more so. June/Sept not crowded -- July/August more so.<BR><BR>I would probably recommend driving over because the island is a lovely place to just walk around. The castle, the priory, church, the craft center, the pubs - just a lovely place. Go with the tide on a weekday morning and you will have plenty of time and it probably won't be crowded.<BR><BR>

I haven't taken the boat trip either but have driven over at low tide. It is an incredibly beautiful place. I would say that if you have time to spare and enjoy boat rides then go for it. It should be a lovely trip. But if you are just trying to avoid crowds go on a weekday morning but by all means go.

Thanks to both of you. I have been in touch with the boat people and they say the trip can only be organized about a week in advance and then depends on weather and tides etc. So, we will definitely go, on a weekday, as early as the tide permits in the beginning of September. We do have time for a boat ride and that would give us a glimpse of the seals and birds,but we'll have to play it by ear. I knew I'd find someone with an answer!

Quite a few years ago we took a boat trip to Farne Islands from Seahouses. It was June and the breeding season and we were told that females were very tetchy and protective of their young. We wore hats but one bald-headed man in our party didn't and was badly pricked with the beak of a dive-bombing arctic tern. It was fabulous seeing so many puffins, gulls and guillemots and later the boat got quite near a large colony of seals. The trip didn't extend to Holy Island but we later crossed over the causeway by car and spent an enjoyable few hours exploring the priory ruins, the mead factory and Lutyens' castle.