The island of Handa (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Shannda) lies off the west coast of Sutherland north west Scotland. The island’s name Handa is of mixed Gaelic and Norse origin and means “island at the sandy river”. It rises over 400ft above sea level and measures about a mile by a mile and a half. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is run as a nature reserve by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Handa Island hosts one of the largest seabird colonies in Northwest Europe, it has over 200 000 seabirds on its towering cliffs, including internationally important numbers of guillemot, razorbill and great skua. Plus more than 250 pairs of puffin breed here. Also Otters, dolphins, minke whales, pilot whales, porpoises, basking sharks and the amazing orca (killer whales) also occasionally go by.
The best time to see seabirds on Handa Island is during the breeding season, which typically runs from April to July. For puffins specifically, mid-May to July is a great time to visit, according to the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
Following our trip to Handa Island I immediately felt the urge to draw one of the puffins I took a photo of. They are probably my favourite birds of all time.
Atlantic Puffin - pencil illustration fine art print is available for purchase on the link below.
https://www.kdekany.com/product/special-textured-print-atlantic-puffin-portrait-scottish-bird-fine-art-print
You can find out more about the island on their official website below, you can also support them by making a donation.
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/handa-island/