Reached by boat from the Isle of Mull or Oban

Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Isles off the west coast of Mull, is one of the most remarkable places in Scotland to see puffins up close. The island is uninhabited, rugged, and utterly alive during the summer months when thousands of seabirds return to nest. The puffins here are famously unbothered by human presence, often waddling just a metre or two from visitors as they hop between burrows.

Access to Lunga is by boat only, usually from Fionnphort on Mull, or occasionally from Oban or Iona. Boat trips typically run from late April through early August and include a landing on the island, allowing you to spend around 2 to 3 hours ashore. The journey itself is part of the adventure, often passing by seals, sea eagles, and occasionally dolphins or porpoises.

Once on the island, a short but steep climb from the landing point takes you to the puffin colony on the grassy cliff edge. The views are wide and wild, and the experience of sitting quietly among puffins going about their day is unforgettable. With no facilities on Lunga, it’s a true off-grid experience, just you, the wind, and the birds.