With a colourful arrowhead of a beak setting off the black and white of their bodies, the puffin is one of nature's most captivating seabirds.
Every year around March and April, these magical birds return to their breeding ground on the Isle of May, the uninhabited island in the Firth of Forth that serves as a nature reserve for these beautiful creatures and others like them.
And thousands of them have just arrived in the seas surrounding the island and are set to return to May over the course of the next week.
Posting on Social Media, NatureScot, which manages the island said: "The birds, looking in good condition in full summer plumage, were present but were not on land – that will hopefully happen next week.
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"Regardless it's great to see so many back and the calm conditions (mild weather) has encouraged their return. Puffins breed on the island from April-August and we are all looking forward to opening the island on 1st April so we can share this wonderful place."
How to see the puffins on the Isle of May
From April 1, the Isle of May opens but you will need to take a ferry, running until September, you can take them from either Anstruther in Fife or North Berwick in East Lothian.
Run by NatureScot, the visitor centre on the island is the perfect place to see the puffins, with viewing areas looking out across the island giving you ample opportunities to view the nesting birds as they hunt and spend time on the cliffs.
Boats from Anstruther: Tickets can be bought at the harbour. Anstruther Pleasure Cruises also take out a rib to the island with time in the sea around the Isle itself – tickets can be bought from their website.
Boats from North Berwick: These 4 hour round trips can be booked from the Scottish Seabird Centre.
Seeing the seabirds from the mainland
The Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick has a load of live cameras and exhibits which gives you access to the incredible selection of seabirds found in the Firth of Forth on both the Isle of May and the iconic Bass Rock ( which is home to the largest population of Northern gannets on the planet), as well as the chance to refuel in the brilliant Seabird Café.
Watching the puffins from the comfort of your home
You can even watch the puffins from the comfort of your own home via the Seabird Centre's online cameras.
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