A panel of young wildlife enthusiasts from Argyll, aged between 4 and 14, have now chosen a name for the unusual puffin adventurer which has been travelling between Aberdeen and the Northern Isles aboard a ferry since August. 

A life-size puffin sculpture, measuring 30cm in height, was installed on the NorthLink ferry, MV Hrossey, to spend the winter at sea mirroring the natural habits of its real-life counterparts, following a donation by Derbyshire-based sculptor, Eddie Hallam, to the Scottish Wildlife Trust.  Now known as Amber, the puffin’s new name was chosen by 12 children from the Great Auks, a Scottish Wildlife Trust and young Archaeologists group based at Kilmartin House Museum.  Amber is the winning entry in a competition to name the puffin launched by People’s Postcode Lottery.

Making the final decision during a wildlife watching trip on Orkney, which was made possible thanks to the People’s Postcode Lottery’s support for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the children voted between a short-list of three name suggestions, ‘Amber,’ ‘Tammie Norrie,’ and ‘Primrose,’ to decide on a winner.   

Charles Gorrie, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Watch and Young Archaeologist’s Volunteer Leader, said:  “Inspired by their visit to Orkney and the story of the puffin adventurer, the children of our Wildlife Watch Group had a fantastic time judging the competition to pick the puffin’s name. 

“I told them all about it on our journey from Kilmartin to Orkney, and it was the subject of much debate until the time came for them all to cast their final votes.

“It was a close competition between the names ‘Amber,’ ‘Tammie Norrie,’ and ‘Primrose.’  All the names were particularly appealing to our wildlife watchers as there were good reasons behind them.  The puffin’s conservation status is designated as amber, as a species with an unfavourable but recovering conservation status in Europe; Tammie Norrie is the old Orcadian word for puffin; and Scottish primrose is an endemic species to Scotland which is found on Orkney.  In fact, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s first wildlife reserve dedicated to conserving Scottish primrose, Hill of White Hamars, is an island very close to where we visited.

“After weighing all the reasons up, the children voted, knowing that a great prize was up for grabs for one lucky competition winner.  And that is how the puffin came to have its name, Amber.

Claire Montgomery, People’s Postcode Lottery’s Director of Charities, said:  “We were looking for a really creative yet meaningful name for the puffin adventurer, and I think the Wildlife Watch group have done a fantastic job in their selection.

“As one of the People’s Postcode Lottery charity partners, we support the important work of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, including the wonderful puffins on the reserve we support at Hill of White Hamars, by providing unrestricted funding which allows them to achieve even more to protect Scotland’s wildlife. 

“People’s Postcode Lottery is a unique fundraising concept where players play with their postcode to win prizes and support local charities, including the Scottish Wildlife Trust.  We are thrilled to be involved with such a novel idea and we hope it will help generate more support and awareness for the importance of Scotland’s wildlife.”

Glenn Campbell from the Scottish Wildlife Trust said:  “This all started with Eddie Hallam’s generous donation of a spectacular work of art to the Scottish Wildlife Trust.  Thanks to Eddie’s creativity and support from People’s Postcode Lottery, NorthLink Ferries and VisitScotland, one lucky competition winner has now won a VIP wildlife holiday to Orkney. 

“As the prize includes a guided visit at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Hill of White Hamars wildlife reserve, we hope to treat the winner to the spectacle of thousands of puffins breeding in the island and the wonderful array of wildlife Orkney has to offer its visitors.

“As for Amber the puffin, it will remain at sea until March next year.  The time the sculpture spends at sea will radically change its appearance to give us a small insight into what these small, hardy creatures endure on the open waters.  This authenticity will hopefully make it more attractive to wildlife enthusiasts when it is auctioned to raise money for the Scottish Wildlife Trust next year.” 

Peter Hutchinson from NorthLink Ferries, said:  ““Having really captured our passengers’ imagination and curiosity, the puffin sculpture is really helping to engage visitors to take notice of the stunning wildlife of the Northern Isles.”

Orkney is home to a wide array of amazing Scottish wildlife, and you stand a chance of seeing puffins, seals, basking sharks, great skuas, and Scottish primrose, depending on when you time your visit

Thanks to the Scottish Wildlife Trust, People’s Postcode Lottery, Northlink Ferries, and VisitScotland, the competition offered a chance to win a wildlife holiday to Orkney worth around £1,000.  The prize included NorthLink ferry tickets for up to four people plus car transport; three nights’ accommodation on Orkney thanks to VisitScotland; a guided boat trip and visit to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Hill of White Hamars wildlife reserve on Orkney, a year-long family membership for the Scottish Wildlife Trust and one month’s free play with People’s Postcode Lottery.  Terms and conditions apply. 

***ENDS***

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND IMAGES, PLEASE CONTACT:

Roxanne King, Team Administrator, Scottish Wildlife Trust

Tel: 0131 312 4724 or email: rking@swt.org.uk      

Notes to Editors

1. The Scottish Wildlife Trust is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 35,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. The Scottish Wildlife Trust seeks toraise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.
2. The Scottish Wildlife Trust receives financial assistance and support from a range of organisations, funders and individuals including Scottish Natural Heritage and People’s Postcode Lottery. 
3. NorthLink Ferries sail each evening from Aberdeen to the Northern Isles and offers a regular shuttle service from Scrabster in Caithness to Stromness in Orkney.  Visit www.northlinkferries.co.uk for more information.
4. VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourist board. Visit www.visitscotland.com/autumngoldfor more information on autumn breaks in Scotland and www.visitorkney.comto plan a break to Orkney.