Puffin Fest launches at Scottish Seabird Centre

IT is all about having fun '“ while also learning about the wonders of the humble puffin.

Puffins on the Isle of May. Picture: Lorne Gill/SNH

Puffin Fest launches today at the Scottish Seabird Centre, in North Berwick, offering ten days of family-friendly events, all of which highlight the importance of protecting the seabird for future generations.

These include a 30-minute puffin-spotting cruise to Craigleith, interactive cameras monitoring the seabirds on the Isle of May, Fidra, and Craigleith, and crafts and science events.

To celebrate the festival, the Edinburgh Sketcher created a puffin drawing for school children to colour in, prompting 320 entries from across the Lothians.

Puffin Fest returns at the Scottish Seabird Centre. Picture: Rob McDougall

The winner was 11-year-old Finlay McKenzie, from Ormiston Primary School, who has been chosen to officially open the festival along with the North Berwick Pipe Band.

Finlay said: “It’s very exciting and it will be an honour to open the festival. I have a big interest in nature and I can’t get enough of it. I hope that everyone has lots of fun and that the puffins enjoy themselves, too.”

The Edinburgh Sketcher added: “I’m so pleased that so many children took part in the Puffin Fest colouring competition. The standard was very good – there are plenty of future sketchers out there. Finlay’s entry instantly caught my eye. There is some lovely subtle shading and the creation of a very effective sunset. I like, too, that the puffins are reflecting the sunlight, great attention to detail.”

For festival details, including opening times, costs, dressing up as a penguin and gaining free entry by building a puffin from Lego, visit www.seabird.org or call 01620 890202.

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