Scotland is a seabird lover’s paradise, particularly if you enjoy the adorable puffin. Puffins spend most of their lives bobbing around the ocean, but come late spring, they are ready to set up camp for the summer breeding season. Puffins return to the shores of Scotland from April through August. There are many spots where you can find puffins, but here are some of the best.
St. Kilda
St. Kilda is your place if you want to see the United Kingdom’s largest puffin colony. St. Kilda is an archipelago and consists of 5 islands. St. Kilda is a World Heritage Site and considered very remote, about 40 miles away from the islands of the Outer Hebrides. Puffins love the remoteness and nest here every spring. To visit St. Kilda, you’ll need to find a tour boat. Kilda Cruises offers trips to St. Kilda, but they tend to book up quickly, so check them out well in advance to book a spot.
Isle of May
A national nature reserve, the Isle of May is one of the best spots to see all kinds of seabirds, including puffins. Located in the Firth of Forth, visiting the Isle of May is completely doable as a day trip. To get it, you’ll need to book a boat ride. This can be a boat like the Rigid Hulled Inflatables of the Isle of May Boat Trips offers, or a bigger vessel like The May Princess. Visitors note that it seems the puffins like to leave around the middle of August, so try to book a trip before then.
Shiant Isles
Off to the east of Harris lies the small group of islands known as the Shiant Isles. The rocky cliffsides here offer the perfect home for many seabirds, particularly puffins. The Isle of Harris Sea Tours offers boat rides over to the Shiant Isles through the summer.
Just a 30-minute drive from where the Shiants tour takes off is the Puffin and Peregrine Tiny-House. Stay in a cozy beach cottage just minutes from the beautiful beach, complete with puffin decor! An absolute delight for anyone puffin-crazed!
Treshnish Isles
Located to the west of the Isle of Mull is a group of small islands known as the Treshnish Isles. On the Isle of Lunga, you can get very close to puffins. Visitors say the puffins are very used to people and not scared off. Visitors also say the ride to Lunga can feel long, and that when you arrive on the island, there is a lot of rocky terrain to cover. Worth it if you’re looking for an up-close encounter with puffins, though. Staffa Tours offers a combined trip to Staffa and Lunga, leaving from Tobermory.
Where to Find Puffins Without a Boat
Fowlsheaugh Nature Reserve
Located in Aberdeenshire, the cliffs of Fowlsheugh are loaded with puffins in the summer months. Follow the trail along the cliffside to view all kinds of birds.
Dunnet Head
Way up north, you’ll find Dunnet Head, a puffin paradise. It’s also the northernmost point of Mainland Britain. With an all-abilities access path, everyone is able to come out and enjoy the puffins.
Bullers of Buchan
North of Aberdeen, puffins can be found at the Bullers of Buchan. Visitors note that the path is narrow, and the heights can be frightening; the weather can be very windy, but the scenery makes it all worth it. It is probably not the best trail for those with small children./
Fun Puffin Facts
- One of a puffin’s favorite foods is the sand eel fish.
- You are not allowed to touch puffins in the wild, not matter how cute and soft they look!
- A baby puffin is called a puffling.
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