They’re one of the most interesting and colourful creatures you can encounter in Scotland - but it’s amazing how many Scots have never seen a puffin in real life.
The reason for that is not that they are rare - hundreds of thousands visit Scotland each year - but rather that they only live in particular areas and rarely stray far other than to hunt for food far out to sea.
They also aren’t around all year - living at sea for much of the year and only visiting land between the months of April and August.
Every April 14 puffin fans around the globe mark Puffin Day, celebrating their return to nesting grounds after wintering in the open Atlantic.
You’re going to have to make an effort to sport a puffin as they aren’t going to pop up in your back garden anytime soon.
While the gloriously-beaked birds arrive in Scotland in April, May-June is the best time to go on a puffin watching trip as you’ll have a chance to see them in action, partaking in courtship rituals, breeding, nest-building and chick-rearing (a puffin chick is adorably called a puffling).
As to where to go - here are 10 top spots which mean, unless you live in the far south of Scotland, you’re probably not more than a couple of hours away from a puffin.
5. Dunnet Head
The Dunnet Head peninsula, on the north coast of Scotland in Caithness, is the most northerly point of mainland Britain (not John O'Groats as many people think). It's home to a beautiful lighthouse, several picturesque walks and viewpoints, and a coasatal trail from which you can see puffins flying from the cliffs to the sea and back on the hunt for sandeels. It's a popular spot for people on the NC500 to visit. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Sumburgh Head
There are no shortage of great puffin spotting locations in the Shetland Islands. It takes a bit of time to get to the islands themselves, but once you get to the archepelego, Sumburgh Head is one of the easiest places to get to for seabird enthusiasts. There are good roads to get to the southernmost point of the Shetland Mainland - you can even catch a bus - and you'll see puffins as soon as you walk out of the car park. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Lunga
Located in the Trenish Isles, near Mull, Lunga is probably the best place to see puffins on Scotland's west coast. Other wildlife that attracts visitors include orchids, grey seals and storm-petrels. It's also pretty easy to get to, with regular boat trips from Ulva Ferry, Tiree, Tobermory, Iona and Ardnamurchan. | Canva/Getty Images
8. St Kilda
A remote set of islands more than 50 miles to the west of the Outer Hebrides, St Kilda can only be reached by a small boat - which can make for a fairly rocky crossing. The easiest way to visit is to take a day trip from numerous boat operators from Skye, Harris, Eriskay and Barra. Once there you can enjoy the stunning Unesco World Heritage Site with its dramatic cliffs, wild sheep and ruined villages (the only humans therw work on a military base located there). Puffins are widespread but particular dense populations can be found on the cliffs of Hirta and Boreray. | Canva/Getty Images