The Bullers of Buchan is one of the best places to see puffins in Aberdeenshire. Being situated just 25 miles north of Aberdeen, near Cruden Bay, the Bullers of Buchan is one of the more accessible and convenient puffin nesting locations in Scotland.
There is a car park and the puffins are just a 5 minute walk away, although that walk is along a fairly scary looking clifftop path.
I spent several hours watching the puffins, they are such delightful birds with lots of character.
The puffins build nests in underground burrows and can be seen between April & July. The best time of day to see them is either early in the morning or early evening. If you are lucky you will be able to see them returning to their nest with a beak-full of sand eels.
To walk to the puffins, turn right not long after the cottages. Follow the narrow path along the cliff. The puffins are typically found on the more grassy cliff edges. Look out for the orange flashes of their beaks and feet!
Take extra care during windy days, it is rather exposed and can be dangerous.
From April to July is the best time of year to see puffins at the Bullers of Buchan.
The Bullers of Buchan is a great place to see & photograph puffins, as well as various other sea birds, which I highly recommend visiting.
You could combine a visit to the puffins with a trip to see the gannets at Troup Head, which is 30 miles to the north.
