The Farne Islands

The Farne Islands. . , The islands before you are the Farne Islands between 15 and over 20 depending on the state of the tide. , The islands were a renowned hazard to shipping and in the 18th Century, Dr Sharp, working for the Trustees of Lord Crewe, created one of the world's first signalling systems for ships in distress. The first named residents of the islands were the Saints Aidan and Cuthbert. Cuthbert lived and eventually died on Inner Farne in 687. He is credited with the first bird protection laws in the world giving special protection to the eider ducks. , Local Residents , The island is home to over 80,000 pairs of breeding birds including guillemots, razorbills, kittiwake and the comical puffin, known locally as the ‘Tommy Noddy’. , Seal Colony , With 3,000 to 4,000 grey seals, this colony forms one of the largest in Europe, with around 1,000 pups being born every autumn. The islands are managed by the National Trust, who maintain a presence on both Inner Farne and Brownsman. , For further information about the Farne Islands, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk Grace Darling , Perhaps their most famous association is with GraceDarling, who in 1838 with her father rowed out from Longstone in gale force winds to rescue the survivors of the steam ship Forfarshire. You can discover the full story in The Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh village and visit her memorial and grave in the grounds of St Aidan's Church. ( photo captions ) , Cuddy duck named after its protector St Cuthbert , Puffins on the rocks , Grace Darling and her father rescuing the survivors of the Forfarshire