EAST Lothian MSP Paul McLennan has become a nature champion for maritime cliffs and slopes.

The cliffs and slopes host colourful plants such as thrift, sea campion, Scots lovage and purple milk-vetch, and can be grassy, heathy or bare rock with lichens and scattered herbs.

A variety of seabirds nest in the plants, including gannets.

Mr McLennan said: “I am thrilled to team up with ScotLink and the National Trust for Scotland as a Nature Champion for Scotland’s maritime cliffs and slopes.

“We in East Lothian are proud of the stunning clifftops and sea braes along our coast and our county is of course home to a wildlife wonder of the world, the Bass Rock, which boasts the largest colony of gannets on Earth.

“Climate change is a huge threat to this habitat. Scotland’s seabird colonies are failing to breed in reasonable numbers as a result of our warming seas causing prey to migrate north, leaving our seabirds struggling to forage for food.

“We must do whatever it takes to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis, including prioritising environmental health and encouraging eco-tourism so our seabird colonies survive.

“I’m looking forward to doing my bit to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss on Scotland’s coastline habitats and seabirds, and I am keen to get started.”