Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Puffin Island

Puffin Island is an island off the coast of the Isle of Anglesey, 2 miles from Beaumaris.

Its Welsh name is Ynys Seirol ("the isle of St. Seirol"), after the saint who made his home in a cell on the island in the 6th century. This also accounts for the island`s former name in English, Priestholm.

The island is a haven for birds and other wildlife, in particular the puffins after whom it is named. The puffin population was severely reduced in the early 19th century, being culled for pickling and for lamp oil.