Why you should visit the Isle of May, The Puffin Isle, Scotland

Looking for a unique day trip in Scotland? Discover why you should visit the Isle of May, an unspoiled, wildlife-rich island nestled in the Firth of Forth. Yes, you’ve read that right! The Isle of May is full of puffins and other birds for a few months per year. They can be easily spotted all along the island, near their burrows, chilling in the water or flying around.

There are no permanent residents on the isle, and it is classified as a national nature reserve managed by NatureScot. I visited the Isle of May in April, and I saw many puffins, other seabirds, and even seals. It was an amazing trip that I recommend to everybody.

Isle of May History

It is unclear whether the name is of Old Norse origin, “Máeyar,” meaning island of seagulls, or from Gaelic, “Magh,” which means a plain; both do fit its current look. One interesting fact about this island is that it hosted one of the oldest Christian churches in Scotland, founded in the 9th century.

The isle was also a popular destination for pirates and smugglers because of its topography, as there are many places to hide treasure. One of the oldest Scottish lighthouses was built and designed by the Stevenson family in 1636.

Is the Isle of May worth visiting?

The Isle of May is definitely worth visiting. You get to spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the island by yourself, checking out the lighthouses and the Foghorn and, most importantly, admiring the wildlife, including dozens of puffins and other seabirds. Usually, the island is home to 58.000 pairs of puffins.

Other seabirds include the Shag, Eider, Oystercatcher, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Kittiwake, Razorbill, and many others. You can imagine how lively the place is! Oh, and quite noisy.

Best Time to Visit the Isle of May

You can visit the Isle of May during spring until late summer, as it is open to tourists from April until September, but most birds leave by August. The best months to see puffins are mid to late April until August. While travelling opens from the beginning of April, I’d suggest not going right at the start of the month because most birds are not there yet.

Be aware that you won’t be able to see puffin chicks or pufflings, as they only come out of their burrows at night and dive into the water. However, you can see all the other baby birds from June/July. You can also see grey seals during this period (I did), they usually arrive in September for the breeding season.

Tips for Visiting the Isle of May

The Isle of May is located just on the edge of the Firth of Forth, less than 10 km from the coast of Scotland. You can get to the Isle of May from Anstruther in Fife, Dunbar, and North Berwick in East Lothian. We chose to travel to the island from Anstruther in Fife on May Princess, which you can check out here. The boat trip was 5 hours roundtrip, and the captain and skipper were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They explained what you need to know about the island, what to expect, and many other things.

The price was quite affordable; we paid around £40 per person and booked the trip one week in advance. I recommend online booking to make sure you have a spot on the boat. There is a small shop on the ship where you can buy drinks and snacks. Be aware that no shops are on the island, so either buy from the boat or come prepared.

Fun facts about Puffins

Due to their bright beaks and short legs, puffins are also called the Parrots of the Sea.
Around 1 million puffins migrate to the UK for breeding.
While the name might come from puffy, puffins are light, weighing 300 to 500 grams.
Puffins are great divers who can dive up to 60m to catch their prey.
Puffins can live up to 20 years, just like penguins.

There are many islands around Scotland worth exploring, each with its unique characteristics, and I can’t wait to explore all of them. If you plan to visit Edinburgh, click here for best things to see in the city.

Until then, unwind and explore.