Where to see puffins on Orkney

The Orkney Islands, located off the far north of Scotland are alive with wildlife and one of the most popular seabirds to search out are the puffins. The puffins on Orkney can be seen around the islands from early May until mid-August with the prime puffin season being during June.

A lot of puffins nest on Orkney but knowing where to find them means that you can spend time with them without searching for hours. In May and June, they reconnect with their partners and nest while June and July see them feeding their young. During this time you will see them with beaks full of sand eels. You may also see the young black and white pufflings emerging from their nest. By August the cliffs are silent and the puffins are back out to sea for the winter.

In Orkney the puffin is known as the ‘Tammie Norrie‘ and the puffin’s Latin name – fratercula, ‘little brother’ – links them to the Celtic monks who once shared their island homes.

Brough of Birsay, West Mainland

The Brough of Birsay is a tidal island off the northwest coast of Orkney Mainland. The causeway is exposed for a few hours on either side of low tide and it is possible to walk across to the island. Once on the island follow the path up to the lighthouse.

From the lighthouse, you will find the puffins nesting along the cliffs on the seaward side of the island. The cliffs weave around and there are a number of deep geos (coves) so it is worth looking across to the cliffs rather than down the cliffs. There are no barriers so make sure you keep your mind on the cliff edge as much as the puffins.

Marwick Head, West Mainland

Marwick Head has high cliffs that can be seen from the Brough of Birsay. A path leads up to the Kitchener Monument from the beach and lagoon at Marwick Head Nature Reserve or for a short sharp walk there is parking inland that goes straight up to the monument.

The puffins will be mingling with the thousands of guillemots and razorbills that nest on these cliffs. The puffins, while mixed in with the other birds tend to prefer the top of the cliffs rather than lower down. I have often seen them from a distance from the viewing area close to the memorial.

Mull Head, East Mainland

On the east side of the main island is a small RSPB reserve – Mull Head. The walk along the cliffs here will take you past the Gloup, the Broch of Deerness, and the Covenanter’s Memorial. Even if you don’t see any puffins the Gloup is an amazing place to explore. It is a collapsed sea cave with a land bridge separating it from the sea. On stormy days a blow hole is an impressive sight. As with other bird cliffs on Orkney, there are no barriers so you need to keep your eyes open. Along the cliffs, you will see large numbers of seabirds including puffins.

Old Man of Hoy, Hoy

The Old Man of Hoy is an impressive sea stack which can be seen from the Scrabster to Stromness ferry. The cliffs here are high and are home to a small colony of puffins. They are often quite difficult to see. These puffins are an added bonus on the 10km circular walk rather than the main attraction. On this walk, you may see the white-tailed sea eagles that nest on the cliffs as well as mountain hares.

Castle o’Burrian, Westray

The Castle o’Burrian is a sea stack (well nearly an island) on the east coast of Westray. It is just a short distance from the ferry at Rapness with a cliff-top parking area clearly marked on the right as you drive from the ferry. This is the largest puffin colony in Orkney and is easily reached with a short walk along the cliffs. While you will see large numbers of puffins on the cliffs, the main show is on the actual sea stack. Remember to take binoculars as you will want to make the most of their antics.

Noup Head, Westray

On the far north of Westray is Noup Head Lighthouse. The drive out to the lighthouse and the RSPB reserve is quite an adventure and is on a rough track much of the way. While Noup Head is better known for the gannet colony, puffins dot the cliffs and it is a perfect location to spend time watching the gannets and puffins as well as keeping an eye out for passing whales.