Jam-packed programme announced for Scotland’s first ever Puffin Fest.

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PUFFINFEST image 3 (c) RobMcDougall.com 2014

Wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan set to open Scottish Seabird Centre’s inaugural celebration of Scotland’s favourite seabird

The programme for Scotland’s first ever Puffin Fest has been announced and it has been confirmed that Scottish wildlife cameraman and filmmaker Gordon Buchanan – best known for his BBC documentary series such as The Polar Bear Family & Me, Springwatch and Autumnwatch – will officially open this ten-day celebration of Scotland’s most popular seabird.

Running from Friday 16 to Monday 26 May, the Scottish Seabird Centre’s Puffin Fest will feature a family-friendly and environmentally-focused programme of activities.

And now you can win a Family Pass for  2 adults & 2 children (worth £25) for the event – see below….

PUFFINFEST image 1  (c) RobMcDougall.com 2014

Puffin Fest aims to inspire both locals and visitors alike to learn more about our much-loved puffins while also highlighting the importance of conserving and protecting our seabirds for future generations.

The programme features: Forth One Puffin Parties, talks by wildlife experts, Puffin Express boat trips, guided walks and wildlife photography workshops – all in addition to the opportunity to zoom in on the live puffin action with the Centre’s interactive live cameras on the puffin-inhabited islands of Craigleith, Fidra and the Isle of May National Nature Reserve.

Among the highlights are:

  • How to Speak Puffin with wildlife expert and writer Dr Kenny Taylor on 17 May at 15:00 and 18 May at 14:15
  • Does my Puffin look its Best? wildlife photography workshops by Gordon Rae of GJ Wildlife Photography at 15:30 on Sunday 18 and Sunday 25 May
  • Thirty-minute Puffin Express boat trips from North Berwick harbour between 16 and 21 May
  • An interactive family science show featuring Professor Egghead and Percy the puffin at 14:00 onMonday 19 and 26 May
  • Puffins in Print exhibition featuring a range of Lothian artists including Keli Clark and Pamela McKenzie
  • Illustrator Kate McLelland will host a reading and puffin craft workshop based on her book There was a Wee Lassie who Swallowed a Midgie on Saturday 17 and Saturday 24 at 11:00
  • #Wildhour twitter conversation hosted by Scottish Seabird Centre CEO Tom Brock OBE between 19:00 and 20:00 on Sunday 18 May
  • Forth One Puffin Parties with Arlene Stuart on Saturday 17 May at 12:00 and Mark Martin on Saturday 24 May at 15:30, with puffin fun and games
  • Children’s author Lynne Rickards will be hosting a special storytelling session on Friday 16 May at 14:00, reading from her books Harris the Hero and Lewis Clowns Around
  • Know Nuffin about a Puffin? guided walk by East Lothian Council Ranger Services, where ranger Dave Wild will take visitors on a ramble along the rocky shore at 11:30 on Sunday 18 May.

Gordon Buchan, wildlife filmmaker, said: “Scotland’s wildlife and seabird conservation is an issue very close to my heart, so I am looking forward to welcoming visitors to Scotland’s first ever Puffin Fest at the Scottish Seabird Centre in May.

“Puffin breeding season in Scotland is a great time for filmmakers and wildlife enthusiasts just like me to learn more about our precious bird populations, while enjoying observing them up-close in their natural habitats.

“Scotland has such a rich marine environment and I’m delighted to join forces with the Seabird Centre to celebrate the much-loved puffin.”

Tom Brock OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre, said: “The Scottish Seabird Centre’s Puffin Fest programme, the first event of its kind in Scotland, is packed with fun and interactive activities for everyone to enjoy as we learn more about our much-loved clowns of the sea.

“We are delighted to welcome Gordon Buchanan to officially open the festival. It promises to be a fantastic ten-day programme and we will look forward to welcoming lots of puffin fans to join in the celebrations.”

 For the full Puffin Fest programme, visit www.seabird.org

All Images  © Rob McDougall

PUFFINFEST image 2 (c) RobMcDougall.com 2014

Enter the competition to win a family ticket to the Festival for two adults and two children here. Entries close on Thursday 15 May 2014 at 5pm

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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