Huge seal pup population booms on remote UK islands humans abandoned 80 years ago

Off of the coast of Scotland are nearly 800 islands home to a wealth of biodiversity, include a set of islands home to a colossal colony of grey seals and myriad of bird species

Scottish islands abandoned since the 1940s have become a thriving breeding spot for grey seals.

In the North-West, sitting low in the Atlantic, are the remote Monach Isles, which have been uninhabited since the 1940’s when the last people left the islands. But now, every autumn the white sand beaches host the largest breeding colony of grey seals in Europe.

More than 10,000 pups are born on the Monach Isles each year and they have just a few short weeks to get ready for independence. Whilst a beautiful sight, the beaches also become dangerous places as huge bulls fight for the dominance to mate. The Isles are also a National Nature Reserve, and are home to a rare carpet of wildflowers. Seabirds also next on the island, including grey herons in some of the abandoned buildings as there are no trees on the islands.

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For those wanting to see the wonders of the islands, there are several cruise and boat companies that travel to Monach, which lies approximately four miles west of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. The Isles were previously inhabited until the 1940s, when the last residents left. Now, many ruins stand on the islands including a lighthouse, which was originally built in 1864. The lighthouse, on Shillay, is a key landmark of the Monach Isles. Though now automated and unmanned, it was essential for maritime safety in the treacherous waters around the Outer Hebrides.

On trips to the Isles or nearby, visitors can enjoy seeing expansive sandy beaches, clear waters and dramatic cliffs. There are nearly 800 islands off the coast of Scotland, and they are some of the most biodiverse places in the country. From a mix of low intensity agriculture to rich ocean wildlife, the isles are teeming with life.

The islands of Scotland are explored in the BBC series Scotland The New Wild, which will air on Sunday October 6, at 8pm on BBC 2. Nigel Pope, executive producer of the show, said: "I'm so thrilled to see Scotland the New Wild on BBC2. In these days when the environment is often the first victim of funding cuts, this series shines a light on Scotland's most charismatic and surprising animals!

"My favourite moment in the Islands programme is the encounter between the owl chick and lamb! It's impossible to plan for moments like that and it's just the most exquisite moment - perfectly filmed, scored and edited. What I love about this series is its exquisite sense of place. Natural History films often concentrate exclusively on one piece of behaviour, but the fascinating ecosystems and landscapes of Scotland give this series a special flavour all of its own."