The Scottish Seabird Centre has announced its plans for this year's Marine Fest.

A national conservation charity has unveiled plans for its largest ever festival to help protect Scotland’s marine environment and address climate change. 

The Scottish Seabird Centre has today revealed that it will host a new programme of fun and thought-provoking events, exhibitions and experiences this June. 

The leading conservation and education charity will welcome guests to the event from June 4 to June 12 this year, promising to build on 2021’s inaugural festival - which took place as part the Year of Coasts and Waters in 2021. 

The festival is designed to help visitors and locals alike to get involved in protecting Scotland’s marine environment and address the impacts of climate change. 

Revellers will be able to enjoy internationally acclaimed exhibits, the launch of the area’s first citizen science trail, wellbeing events, new and exclusive snorkelling experiences, ethical dining, wine tasting, boat trips, pioneering community led projects, rockpool rambles, science busking and more. 

The charity’s chief executive, Susan Davies, said: “Marine Fest is a fantastic legacy of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters. We’re absolutely delighted that we can now host a bigger programme of events in 2022. 

“As restrictions ease, we have ensured this year’s programme is packed full of events and exhibitions to help us tell the stories of Scotland’s amazing marine environment.

“Behind all that we do is a very serious message about the need to act now to address the impacts of climate change and loss of nature. We aim to spark ideas about what people can individually do to help nature.” 

Through exclusive snorkelling taster sessions, the festival will also provide an opportunity for people to explore the new snorkel trail, launched in April 2022, exploring East Lothian’s varied coastline. 

Created by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Scottish Seabird Centre, the self-led trail features five sites on the region’s coast that can be explored by beginner and more advanced snorkellers. 

Jackie Shuttleworth, events coordinator for the Scottish Seabird Centre, added: “It has been fantastic to support the team in creating this amazing Marine Fest programme for 2022. 

“We can’t wait to welcome visitors to our five-star visitor attraction to experience the highly acclaimed fascinating, fun and interactive sessions that our team thrives on delivering.”