Shiant's Spectacular Puffins

Join award-winning photographer Kevin Morgans, author of Puffins: Life On The Atlantic Edge, for a photographic cruise to the Shiant Isles. These seldomvisited islands in the Outer Hebrides are a vital breeding site for seabirds - especially photogenic Atlantic puffins. Around ten per cent of the UK’s puffins breed here, and its 150-metre-high cliffs of black basalt make a spectacular backdrop.

After meeting Kevin in Ullapool, we take the ferry to Stornoway, with an opportunity to look for seabirds and marine mammals as we cross The Minch – the stretch of water separating mainland Scotland with the Inner Hebrides. On arrival, we board our vessel and head south along the Lewis coastline, keeping watch for seals, otters and birds including white-tailed eagles.

A former fishing boat, the MV Monadhliath has been transformed for wildlife observation in the Hebrides, with two stern platforms that provide unrivalled views. The vessel accommodates up to nine guests, while the experienced crew ensure a relaxing and enjoyable voyage.

We dedicate two full days to exploring the rugged Shiant Isles south-east of Lewis. As the only uninhabited island group in The Minch, they provide sanctuary to an abundance of seabirds.

Atlantic puffins nest here in thousands, along with guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes, shags and great skuas. The grassy slopes of Garbh Eilean host the largest puffin colonies, as the soft ground is ideal for burrowing, and the sight and sound of seabirds going to and fro between the sea and their nests create an astounding spectacle.

We devote another day to searching The Minch for marine life: minke whales, common and Risso's dolphins, harbour porpoise and basking shark are all regular visitors, and we may also see white-beaked and bottlenose dolphins, humpback and fin whales, and even orcas.

We’re in good hands with Kevin as our leader. His photos have been published across the globe and have won multiple awards; his work with puffins in particular has attracted critical acclaim. The small group format means Kevin can help everyone develop their photographic skills and build an exciting and varied portfolio.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway, embark & sail across The Minch to the Shiant Isles. Days 2-3: Explore the Shiant Isles to photograph the Atlantic puffin colony & other seabirds.

Day 4: Search for cetaceans such as minke whales, common & Risso’s dolphin in The Minch. If we’re lucky we may also encounter white-beaked dolphin, humpback & fin whales.

Day 5: Return to Stornoway, disembark & ferry to Ullapool.

5 days, from £1,995 (voyage only)

Departure date: 17 Jun 2024

Embark/Disembark: Stornoway/Stornoway

Vessel: MV Monadhliath

Tour Leader: Kevin Morgans

Why book Shiant's Spectacular Puffins?

Develop your photographic skills with Kevin Morgans and observe a remote and spectacular seabird colony.

ཀྵ Small vessel voyage

ཀྵ Fabulous bird & marine life

ཀྵ Build an exciting portfolio of images

Wildlife Highlights

ཀྵ Abundant seabirds including Atlantic puffins, shags, razorbills & guillemots

ཀྵ Minke, fin & humpback whales

ཀྵ Common, Risso’s & bottlenose dolphins

ཀྵ White-tailed eagles

Activities

Exploring the Atlantic by boat is a magical experience as we search for marine life and step foot on the remote Shiants to photograph the charismatic puffin. This is certainly a trip I'm looking forward to.

Kevin Morgans, Tour Leader