The visitor centre is open from the end of May to the end of September from 2 - 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday inclusive.

The Trust maintains a visitor centre and nature trail. The centre has attractive displays about the ecology, geology and history of the Ayres. The nature trail leads to the visitor centre from the shore through the dunes to the lichen heath. The Ayres has been designated an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and a National Nature Reserve.

A great variety of birds frequent The Ayres including gannets, shags, cormorants and terns. The common lizard, the Island's only native reptile, feeds on the many grasshoppers that live amongst the marram. Seals are often sighted out to sea and basking sharks are sometimes seen as they cruise the surface feeding on plankton.

Please take care when visiting The Ayres. Much of the vegetation is fragile and easily damaged by vehicles or fire. Nesting birds are easily disturbed. Keep dogs on a lead during the breeding season.

How to get to the Ayres Visitor Centre: The visitor centre is signposted on the Ballaghennie Road west of Bride. It has a car park adjacent to it.