“Communing with the wild, and with birds like puffins, is as important as sunshine, sleep or vitamin C. Puffin therapy is a great way to get that fix.” — Dr. Nick Baylis
Where to See Puffins Up Close in Scotland
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to visit Scotland was to photograph the wildlife and rugged landscapes of this gorgeous country. After I started planning my island itinerary, I learned about the puffins who make their homes in the Hebridean Islands.
From the Isle of Mull, I took a boat excursion to Staffa and the Treshnish Isles — and on Lunga island, I got my dose of puffin therapy.
I literally spent the entire time sitting with these peaceful birds. They were not kidding about puffin therapy either! Everybody on the island, including myself, was grinning from ear to ear. It is easily one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
I find the lives of puffins fascinating. These birds breed on land from April to August, which is why I was able to see them during my visit in May. In the winter, they disperse and spend several months at sea. They have waterproofed feathers and they are able to drink salt water in order to survive on the ocean.
Know Before You Go: Turus Mara‘s daily cruises depart the Isle of Mull at 11:30 am and return at 5:45 pm. You will spend one hour on Staffa and two hours on Lunga. Ticket prices: €55 Adults, €27.50 Children or €140 for a family of two adults and two children.
For tips on what to pack for a trip to Scotland, see my women’s packing list for Europe.
Plan Your Trip to Scotland
After traveling consistently for over 10 years, we’ve come to trust and rely on a few websites to help us find the best deals on flights and accommodation.
Flights:
- Skyscanner is the first place we check when searching for cheap flights. It searches hundreds of sites for the best fare and includes both standard and budget airlines. The price calendar feature shows the cheapest days to fly in your preferred month of travel.
Accommodation:
- Booking.com offers savings on hotels, apartments, and villas in 80,000 destinations worldwide. You can browse hotel reviews and find the guaranteed best price on hotels for all budgets.
