The Ultimate Puffin Experience
- Puffins, puffins and more puffins!
- Seabirds
- Wildflowers
- Beautiful scenery
- A day trip to one of the Northern Isles
The Ultimate Puffin Experience is a brand new island adventure for 2026!
Puffins are one of the world’s favourite seabirds, and certainly one of the most requested species we get asked about on our walks. The island of Westray is the best place in Orkney to see these colourful and charismatic birds and this day trip will take you along a cliff top path where you can have the most wonderful puffin experience!
20th May to 27th July inclusive - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
We meet at 10.15am at the seating area beside the Orkney Ferries office on Shore Street, Kirkwall (opposite the Kirkwall Hotel). We will then walk to the North Isles pier together as a group. Our ferry departs Kirkwall at 10.35am and arrives on Westray at 12pm. During the ferry crossing, we will be out on deck (weather permitting) looking for seabirds and other wildlife.
Our walk in Westray is between 5-6 miles along quiet island roads and a cliff-top path.
Our return ferry departs Westray at 5.55pm and arrives in Kirkwall at 7.20pm
NB We do require a minimum of 4 people to run this trip. Please tick the "minimum numbers" box at checkout to confirm you are happy with this.
- Walking boots/shoes - preferably waterproof
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm clothing/layers including hats & gloves - remember it could be a cool wind on the ferry crossing
- Walking poles - if you usually use them
- Binoculars and a camera if you have them
- Please bring plenty of food and drink to last you a full day out. There is a cafetiera on the ferry where you can get hot/cold filled rolls, snacks and hot drinks
Q. Are there public toilets nearby?
A. Yes, there are public toilets in Kirkwall, on board the ferry at at the pier on Westray. Once we set off on our walk, there will not be any public toilets until we return to the waiting room.
Q. Can I use public transport for this walk?
A. Yes, this day trip starts from Kirkwall so you can use the public bus service to get to Kirkwall. The bus timetables can be found on the Orkney Islands Council website.
Q. Do we need to book the ferry ourselves?
A. No, your ferry ticket is included in the price and we will book the ferry for the whole group so you don't need to worry about it.
Q. Is there a minimum number of people required for this walk?
A. Yes, we require a minimum of 4 adults to book for this walk to go ahead. If we don't get enough bookings, we will contact you 7 days in advance of the walk and you will be given the option to pay the extra, book an alternative walk or receive a full refund. Please tick the "minimum numbers" box at checkout to confirm you are happy with this.
Q. Can we take our dog on this walk?
If you need to cancel your wildlife walk, please let us know at least 7 days in advance via email. The following charges will apply according to the date we receive your email:
- If notified 7 days in advance of your booking you will receive a full refund
- If notified less than 7 days in advance of your booking you will not receive a refund
- If you fail to show up for your wildlife walk at the agree time/meeting location you will not receive a refund
If your clothing/equipment is deemed to be inadequate or unsafe, Wild Orkney Walks reserves the right to cancel your walk/tour without a refund.
Minimum numbers
Wild Orkney Walks reserves the right to cancel walks if the minimum number has not been met. The Ultimate Puffin Experience requires a minimum of 4 adults booked for it to go ahead. If the minimum number has not been met, you will be offered a choice:
- Pay extra to do the original walk/island trip
- Book on an alternative walk in a different location
- A full refund if none of the above are suitable
Bad Weather
Wild Orkney Walks reserves the right to change or cancel walks if there is bad weather forecast. Please be aware that we will only cancel if the weather forecast will make it unsafe to be out. If a walk is cancelled, you will be offered a choice:
- An alternative time/date
- A walk in a different location
- An alternative activity, ie a visit to a hide
- A full refund if none of the above is suitable
We reserve the right to change walks or itineraries in the light of prevailing weather or other safety reasons. Being on foot in remote and/or rugged country is potentially hazardous by its nature and participants must accept a certain element of risk. In the interest of safety, you must agree to abide by the decisions of your Walking Guide, who has full liability insurance.
Wild Orkney Walks shall not be liable for any consequential loss or damage arising from the cancellation, interruption, delay or alteration of or to any walk.
You are advised to take out travel insurance to cover any cancellation fees.
All refunds will be £ sterling and any fluctuation in exchange rates will not be our responsibility.
