Where to See Puffins in Scotland

20 May 2024

Itching to see some puffins?

These colourful and charismatic birds are only here between April and July when they return to Scotland's islands and coastlines to nest in burrows. The following locations are just some of the incredible places you can visit to have a good chance of spotting them. From the remote and rugged islands of St Kilda to the scenic Isle of May, read on to find out where you can go to spend some time with these charming seabirds.

Where to See Puffins in Scotland
Illustrations (c) Emma Marriott

  1. St Kilda (National Trust for Scotland)
  2. Shiant Isles (privately owned but supported by RSPB & NatureScot)
  3. Handa Island Wildlife Reserve (Scottish Wildlife Trust)
  4. Dunnet Head (RSPB)
  5. Hermaness NNR (NatureScot)
  6. The Treshnish Isles (National Trust for Scotland)
  7. The Isle of May NNR (NatureScot)

1. St Kilda (National Trust for Scotland)

Remote, rugged, and wild, the extremely isolated island of St Kilda is the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site. Found far off the West coast of the Outer Hebrides, it holds the UK’s largest puffin colony, with a staggering 130,000 estimated breeding pairs! Day trips are offered by several boat operators.

A puffin with a beakful of sandeels.
(c) Jamie McDermaid

2. Shiant Isles

With the second largest puffin colony in Scotland, the Shiants are home to around 10% of the UK’s entire breeding puffin colony. This is one of Scotland’s more remote puffin colonies, but boat trips are available from the Isle of Harris. These islands are privately owned but seabird conservation has recently been supported by RSPB and NatureScot.

Puffin trio.
(c) Nicol Nicolson

3. Handa Island Wildlife Reserve (Scottish Wildlife Trust)

Located just off Scotland’s mainland, Handa Island is a haven for seabirds with puffins regularly spotted around the Great Stack at the island’s South coast. A ferry service runs between the island and mainland.

Puffins at the cliff edge.
(c) Hilary Dyson

4. Dunnet Head (RSPB)

Located in Caithness, Dunnet Head is not just the Northernmost point of mainland Scotland, it’s also a fantastic place to spot puffins! Although located in the far reaches of the Scottish Highlands, it is one of the few places in Scotland where puffins can regularly be spotted from the mainland.

Puffins huddling together.
(c) Nicol Nicolson

5. Hermaness NNR (NatureScot)

Located in Shetland, Hermaness NNR lies at the very edge of Scotland, looking right out to Muckle Flugga, its most Northerly Point. The tall cliffs, vast ocean, and green slopes make this rugged landscape a must-visit location. If that isn’t enough though, there are also loads of puffins here! With over 20,000 pairs breeding atop the steep rockface, this might just be the most scenic puffin-watching spot in Scotland. Getting here from mainland Scotland requires a few ferry journeys – but it’s definitely worth it.

A puffin on the scenic cliffs of Hermaness.
(c) Jamie McDermaid

6. The Treshnish Isles (National Trust for Scotland)

Located in the Inner Hebrides, the Treshnish Isles are a group of small islands uninhabited by people but bustling with seabirds. The Isle of Lunga, the largest in the group, is also home to thousands of breeding puffins. With incredibly close views more than likely at the right time of year, this is a must-see colony. The Treshnish Isles can be visited on boat tours leaving from the Isle of Mull.

Puffins on the Isle of Lunga.
(c) Jamie McDermaid

7. The Isle of May NNR (NatureScot)

Known as the Jewel of the Forth, the Isle of May is home to over 40,000 breeding pairs of puffins every year – the largest colony on the East Coast of Scotland! This island is accessible from East Lothian, with boat trips running from here at the Scottish Seabird Centre, and Fife, with the May Princess sailing from Anstruther most days.

Puffins sitting on the Isle of May.
(c) Greg Macvean

We also run boat trips around the local islands from which puffins can be regularly seen! Check them out here.