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The History of Seabirds-and-Seals
&
Original Business Branding – The Noss Boat

For more than three decades, Seabirds-and-Seals has been introducing visitors to the spectacular wildlife, scenery and seabird colonies of Bressay and Noss. This article explores the history of the business, its 34 years of continuous trading and the origins of the original Noss Boat branding, first introduced by founder Dr Jonathan Wills in 2003.

The business was founded in 1992 by renowned naturalist, author and broadcaster Dr Jonathan Wills, whose passion for Shetland’s wildlife and natural heritage helped establish one of the islands’ best-known wildlife experiences.

From its earliest days, Seabirds-and-Seals offered visitors the opportunity to experience the dramatic cliffs of Noss National Nature Reserve, home to one of the UK’s most important seabird colonies. Over the years, thousands of passengers from around the world have joined tours to witness the incredible sights and sounds of gannets, puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars, seals and, on occasion, whales and dolphins.

A passionate innovator, Dr Jonathan Wills was the first operator in Shetland to introduce dedicated “Dawn Patrol” wildlife tours. These pioneering early morning excursions offered passengers a unique opportunity to experience the magic of Shetland’s wildlife in the soft morning light, while also providing exceptional photography opportunities for both amateur and professional photographers. Combining spectacular scenery, remarkable wildlife encounters and the unique atmosphere of dawn, they became one of the business’s most distinctive and memorable experiences and one we are pleased to continue offering to our thousands of passengers.

In 2003, Dr Jonathan Wills introduced the business’s original branding, “The Noss Boat”. The name quickly became closely associated with wildlife boat tours around Bressay and Noss and remains an integral part of the business’s identity today.

As the years passed, Seabirds-and-Seals built a strong reputation for providing informative, enjoyable and memorable wildlife experiences. The business welcomed countless returning passengers, many of whom continue to visit year after year, sharing the experience with family and friends across generations.

Current Co-Owner and Skipper Brian has been involved with Seabirds-and-Seals since the very beginning, acting as crew and marine engineer. In 2017, Brian and his wife Marie took over ownership of the business, ensuring continuity of the original business, its heritage and its values. During the transition, founder Dr Jonathan Wills remained actively involved, helping to pass on decades of knowledge and experience.

Since its establishment in 1992, Seabirds-and-Seals has traded continuously for 34 years. While the business has evolved over time and entered a new chapter under current ownership in 2017, it has remained the same long-established business throughout, maintaining its heritage, reputation and commitment to delivering exceptional wildlife experiences.

Today, Seabirds-and-Seals continues to operate from Lerwick aboard M.V. Seabird, a spacious and comfortable catamaran offering passengers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities around Bressay and Noss. Under current ownership, Brian adapted the catamaran to be wheelchair accessible, enhancing the experience for visitors of all abilities and ensuring that more people can enjoy Shetland’s remarkable wildlife and scenery. This commitment to accessibility and inclusive tourism was recognised in 2023 when Seabirds-and-Seals won both the Inclusive Tourism Award and Best Visitor Attraction at the Highlands and Islands Thistle Awards. The business remains committed to providing an authentic Shetland experience, combining local knowledge, wildlife expertise and a genuine passion for sharing the islands with visitors from around the world.

We are proud to continue the legacy established by founder Dr Jonathan Wills and to build upon the many accolades and achievements the business has received throughout its history. Under current ownership, Seabirds-and-Seals has continued to gain recognition through national tourism and business awards, while remaining true to the values and standards that have shaped the business for more than three decades. Today, Seabirds-and-Seals is a multi award-winning visitor attraction, consistently ranked No.1 on TripAdvisor and recognised for excellence in tourism, customer service, accessibility and sustainability.  As with any business takeover, a new series of TripAdvisor reviews started and fast approaching 1000, all of which are since Marie & Brian took over the business.

This year, Seabirds-and-Seals celebrates an important milestone – 34 years of continuous trading. While much has changed since 1992, the core values established by Dr Jonathan Wills remain at the heart of the business today: respect for wildlife, a commitment to excellent customer service and a passion for showcasing the very best of Shetland.

As we look to the future, we remain incredibly grateful to the many thousands of passengers who have supported us over the years. Whether you joined us in the early days, travelled with Jonathan, or have discovered The Noss Boat under current ownership, thank you for being part of our story.

We look forward to welcoming many more generations aboard The Noss Boat for years to come.