Where are the Puffins.

[Callander1]

I am going back up to Scotland, for my birthday, at the end of April. My daughter is determined to see some Puffins. But has it in her head, that a trip to John o Groats is necessary. I am sure that there must be somewhere nearer. So does anyone know of a good spot, on the east coast, somewhere between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, where we can be reasonably sure of seeing some?

[Maggie28]

While some of the largest puffin colonies in the British Isles are to be found on remote archipelagos such as St Kilda and the Shiants, visitors to Scotland benefit from a number of more accessible populations, among them Inchcolm and the Isle of May (both manageable as a day trip from Edinburgh), Staffa and the Treshnish Isles off Mull, and small numbers at St Abb's Head, Fowlsheugh and the Mull of Galloway.

Puffins start congregating in the waters around their breeding sites in April, and generally lay their eggs during May. Throughout June and early July, the birds are very active flying to and from their burrows with food for the chicks.

When to see this species : Spring, Summer

[Twitcheruth]

This RSPB Reserve is nearer to Aberdeen but looks to have plenty of Puffins as well as other seabirds Mike!
Hope it's of interest to you.

The RSPB: Fowlsheugh

[clydebirder]

Originally Posted by Twitcheruth

This RSPB Reserve is nearer to Aberdeen but looks to have plenty of Puffins as well as other seabirds Mike!
Hope it's of interest to you.

The RSPB: Fowlsheugh

It's can be very difficult to see the Puffins at Fowlsheugh near Aberdeen, I went twice last summer and never seen a single Puffin.

At St Abb's Head the best place is near the lighthouse but it will only be a handfull of birds at most. The Isle of May is great for Puffins and the Farne Isles in Northumberland is superb for them as is Handa Island off the NW coast of Scotland

cheers, John

[Callander1]

Thanks everyone. As it will be a day trip (or two) I think we will initially take our chances with Fowlsheugh. If that fails, perhaps try the west coast somewhere.

[BlueJam]

Originally Posted by Callander1

Thanks everyone. As it will be a day trip (or two) I think we will initially take our chances with Fowlsheugh. If that fails, perhaps try the west coast somewhere.

Good luck, post back how it went!

[Winterkoning]

Originally Posted by Callander1

I am going back up to Scotland, for my birthday, at the end of April. My daughter is determined to see some Puffins. But has it in her head, that a trip to John o Groats is necessary. I am sure that there must be somewhere nearer. So does anyone know of a good spot, on the east coast, somewhere between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, where we can be reasonably sure of seeing some?

Like John and Maggie Said... Ilse of May...off Anstruther......pity your returning home April......Ive book a trip for June

Regards MIke