I have seen puffins at Birsay, a little island you can walk to at low tide, just off the mainland (quite near Twatt). But the guide book assured us that Westray was THE place to see puffins. Most particularly some sea stacks called the Castle o’Burrian. The guide book also assured us that the signs marking the road to the cliffs and the Castle o’Burrian were large, colourful, and easy to spot. Hmm. Much like the directional abilities of the locals, the signage left a little to be desired. You be the judge.
However, we did indeed find the path to the cliffs. We did make it to the Castle o’Burrian, but there were no puffins to be seen. Arctic terns, shags, fulmars, and gulls; the cliffs were covered in them. But zero puffins. It seems they head out to sea at just about the time we arrived. Sigh. We could have kept walking to the next set of cliffs, but stupidly, I had taken Scout. Big mistake. I had her in such a choke hold for fear of her lunging at the birds (she really does not know how cliffs work) that continuing was useless.
We went back the next day. LL was on a mission. She had not travelled 8,550 km not to see a puffin. We left the dog in the car and LL pretty much frog-marched us back to the Castle o’Burrian. And there they were. Puffins. We saw them in nests, on outcroppings, swooping to the sea, and one little guy let us get within about 5 metres to take the picture below.
It was well worth the second trip (but I still say this island is directionally challenged).