Puffins have long intrigued me. A bucket list item floating around in my head. The allure of these charismatic birds hard to resist.
For years, I’ve enjoyed nature shows and admired them. Hopeful, but never quite thinking that I would one day see them up close. Travel changes that, making the impossible possible and creating magical experiences. Opening your eyes in new ways.
During a trip to Scotland, this finally became a reality. We were staying on the Isle of Mull and took a day trip to Iona. From Iona, it is possible to take a boat to Staffa. An opportunity too good to pass up.
The Isle of Staffa, off Scotland’s west coast, is home to Fingal’s Cave and a large Puffin colony. Its hexagonal columns were formed millions of years ago by volcanic eruptions. Staffa and Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway are linked in myths. Tales of giants, Finn MacCool (Irish Giant) and Fingal (Scottish Giant), who built a bridge between them, later destroying during a dispute. Believer of the myths or not, both locations are worth visiting. Having seen the Giant’s Causeway, this trip allowed us to explore the other side of the myth.
A tour boat picked us up from Iona. The trip to Staffa takes about 45 minutes, allowing you to enjoy the scenery. A short pier has been built for docking. Once docked, you can independently explore the island but remember the return time. It’s easy to get lost in the sites and lose track of time. We first visited Fingal’s Cave before heading to the clifftop to see the puffins.
The climb involves ascending a steep stairway, which requires a reasonable level of mobility. If you need more time, it is advisable to wait for the crowds to pass before making a slower ascent. Once at the top of the stairs, you can proceed at a leisurely pace to the area where puffins may be visible.
As we hiked towards the clifftop, I could feel the excitement building. Would this be the day I finally got to see my favourite little bird? I held my breath in anticipation as we reached the top, slowly peering over. And then, there they were, those magical little birds full of character. Emerging from their dens and parading around like the comical little characters they are.
Visitors are instructed to sit quietly at a distance outside the roped area and observe without making loud noises. Do not disturb the birds. It is important to respect these guidelines to ensure that everyone can enjoy the experience. It is a privilege to be this close to them, don’t ruin it for others.
To my delight, they put on quite the show. Not bothered by the visitors. They engaged in their mating rituals such as rubbing beaks and wing flapping. Flittering about, appearing to be very social with each other, and occasionally returning from the sea with a beak full of fish. A true delight. I could have spent an entire day sitting there. Watching my beloved little bird. We were privileged to see so many as sometimes they are mostly out at sea. Puffins are loved by all that see them. The smiles on the faces of the visitors around me were a testament to this. Each person lost in their own experience.
Puffins, often called “clowns of the sea” or “sea parrots,” are black and white birds with bright coloured beaks. You can see why they are referred to as a parrot. They breed in cliff-top burrows and spend winters at sea. Flapping their small wings frantically allows them to fly but underwater these wings become powerful flippers. They can catch small fish one by one until their beak is full.
Their bills turn vibrant orange in the breeding season but fade to duller shades after, as the outer layer sheds in winter. Puffins are most visible from late spring to early August when they return to the clifftops.
Fun Facts:
- Puffins lay just one egg a year.
- They mate for life.
- They can dive up to depths of sixty metres.
- Puffins are excellent flyers. They flap their wings up to four hundred times a minute and speed through the air at up to 88km an hour.
- A baby Puffin is called a Puffling. Now how cute is that!
