Islay Natural History Trust The Trust runs the Natural History Centre in Port Charlotte where displays illustrate the island's wildlife riches, from its underlying geology to its birds, butterflies, wild flowers and mammals.

There are marine and fresh water aquariums and a touch tank where you can become closely acquainted with some of the local sea creatures. They also have a large laboratory where children of all ages can learn to use microscopes, make pictures out of seaweeds or even dissect an owl pellet. There is an entire room dedicated to drawing things, a touch screen computer and another terminal where you can browse through some of the nearly 150,000 records in their Biological Database.

Islay is perhaps best known for its wonderful all-year-round bird watching, for its tens of thousands of wintering geese, over 100 breeding species and spring and autumn migration. The island also enjoys fine displays of wild flowers, a rare butterfly, a wealth of seashore life and much, much more.

If you've had fun on your family day out to Islay Natural History Trust, tell us about it your visit, so other people will know it's a great place to go as well.

http://www.islaynaturalhistory.org/