Private Puffin & East Coast Wildlife Tour from Edinburgh | Puffins & Castles
Secure Your Private Tour with a 25% Deposit
Discover Scotland’s rugged east coast and charming wildlife on a private puffin-spotting day tour from Edinburgh. This full-day experience combines breathtaking coastal scenery, a wildlife boat cruise to see puffins and other seabirds in their natural habitat, and a visit to a dramatic clifftop castle ruin.
Friendly Scotland Guide/Driver
Your own personal Travel Coordinator
Admissions pre-booked by us
Expertly made itinerary
Tour Highlights
Fully private puffin-spotting day tour with your own expert driver-guide
Wildlife boat cruise in the Firth of Forth to see Atlantic puffins (seasonal) and thriving seabird colonies
Visit the dramatic clifftop ruins of Tantallon Castle overlooking the North Sea
Explore the charming seaside town of North Berwick with time for lunch and coastal walks
Spectacular East Coast scenery with flexible photo stops along the way. Door-to-door pick-up and return to your accommodation in Edinburgh
Flexible itinerary tailored to your interests and the best wildlife viewing conditions on the day
PRIVATE ITINERARY
Your day begins with collection from your accommodation in Edinburgh. Head east through rolling countryside to reach the scenic Firth of Forth coastline, where the character of Scotland’s seabird colonies begins to unfold.
Tantallon Castle
Start your adventure with a visit to Tantallon Castle, a dramatic coastal ruin perched atop sheer cliffs above the North Sea. This 14th-century fortress offers sweeping views and rich history — the perfect first stop before heading out onto the water.
Puffin Viewing Cruise
From the harbour, you’ll board a wildlife boat cruise into the Firth of Forth. Keep your eyes peeled for Atlantic puffins, guillemots, razorbills and other seabirds nesting on offshore islands such as Craigleith, Bass Rock and Fidra. Puffins are most active ashore and in flight between spring and early summer, making this the ideal time to watch them dart back and forth with fish for their chicks.
Enjoy the magic of seeing these charismatic birds in their natural environment as your guide points out highlights and shares insights into their behaviour and the local ecology.
Flexible Lunch & North Berwick
After your cruise, enjoy a flexible lunch stop in the coastal town of North Berwick. This welcoming seaside village is a lovely place to relax, sample seafood or explore independent shops and cafés overlooking the bay.
Optional Seabird Viewing & Coastline Stops
Depending on tide, season and your interests, you may also choose to pause at additional scenic viewpoints along the coastline, offering opportunities for more photo stops and wildlife watching.
Return to Edinburgh
After a memorable day spotting Scotland’s puffins and coastal birds, relax as you travel back to Edinburgh, arriving in the early evening. As this is your private tour, your guide can tailor the pace and stops to suit your preferences — whether you want extra time on the boat, more seaside exploring, or a leisurely lunch.
