best time to see dolphins in scotland

menu. And cooler temperatures also mercifully drive away the infamous midges and other biting insects that tend to swarm during the warmer months. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 13th of February 2022, Find out more about Chris on the about page. Youll find small shops with local food, restaurants and cafes. A young wildcat in the Highland Wildlife Park. Whether you intend to travel to Scotland during either spring or summer do not underestimate the potential of the sun in Scotland and remember to bring adequate sun cream to prevent the not so elusive Scottish suntan! The Western Isles, Scotland The Western Isles of Scotland is another great place for Whale Watching. All photography by Chris Thornton, John Luckwell and Alan Butterfield. Weve stayed at the campsite there which has sea great views, but there are also hotels and guest houses in the village. The shortest day of the year in Scotland is usually the 21st of December, with as little as 6-7 daylight hours depending on where you are. This is where the River Spey terminates into the North Sea and is a popular feeding ground with dolphins and seals for salmon hunting. Its no surprise that the Scottish Dolphin Centre near Fochabers is a great place to see some dolphins. Fewer travellers mean fewer people on the trails and in the hills, providing an even more remote experience of the glorious scenic landscapes. WebAberdeenshire is a vast and scenic region, featuring many pretty towns, friendly communities, places to explore and fascinating attractions to visit. Yes, they can sometimes be seen in the water off Portobello Beach, north Edinburgh. Boats arent restricted to certain times to see the dolphins as they can find them wherever they are. Chris is also a keen photographer and has had work published on the BBC news website and local news outlets. Who knows, maybe youll be lucky enough to spot the real-life Nessie! I once was invited to go out on the Moray Firth in a small catamaran, we encountered seals, a basking shark and dolphins! 1-866-821-6866 . Check out ourScotland Travel Homepagefor everything you need to know, or read some of our favorite articles below. Chanonry Point is a great place to hang out in Scotland with lots of water sports activities ongoing and a stunning lighthouse. Spot whales, otters and eagles on Isle of Mull, Scotland, Ultimate week of wildlife spotting on the Isle of Mull. WebMay, June and July are the best months to watch dolphins off the coastlines of the Azores, Ireland, Egypt, Madeira, Fiji, Newfoundland and Jersey with several of these locations still providing ideal conditions into August and September. This wildlife travel guide is meant to be like a trailer for the new Attenborough series. Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. In the Azores, pods tend to be largest in these months, and you may also see a few cute calves. Atlantic white-sided dolphins are very pretty and stylish, with darker dorsal fins fading to light grey and white along the flanks and underbelly, tempered by yellow flashes splashed along the rear of their flanks. WebHonest, easy to read advice on the best time to watch dolphins and what species to see at different times of year. A Minke Whale decides to swim alongside a group as if it thought the boat was part of its pod. Try F6-8, 1/500, ISO100 on a well lit day and alter your settings from there. Hike to some waterfalls and enjoy the fall foliage. If you ever find yourself exploring the incredible Callanish stones during a visit to the Outer Hebrides listen closely for the sound of a Cuckoo as you just may catch a rare glimpse of the legendary shining one you never know! This site contains affiliate links and as such any purchases or bookings made after clicking may earn me a commission. If you have time to discover more of the country, dont miss these epic places to visit in Scotland. If you fancy driving to Chanonry Point from Fort George, it will take you 45 minutes via the Kessock Bridge, Inverness. Go wildlife watching in Scotland without tying yourself to just spotting dolphins. Its a great time to witness incredibly diverse wildlife that gives such bold life to the jaw-dropping landscapes of the Highlands as many creatures make their presence known and others migrate back to Scotland as the climate warms up after winter. Met Gala 2023: What time does the Met Gala start in the UK and where can you watch it? The dolphins heading for Chanonry Point have to travel past Fort George, so its a great viewing point if you want to see these magnificent creatures in action. Warmer temperatures bring lots of people out, both visitors and locals alike, hoping to take advantage of the warmer weather, longer days, and many fun things to do. ), Layers to stay comfortable in temperatures between 40-60F (4-15C), Waterproof shoes or boots to protect your feet from melting snow, Trekking poles to help with stability and traction on muddy hiking trails. There are around 200 Bottlenose dolphins that live all year in the chilly waters of the Moray Firth and around the East Coast of Scotland and half this population are seen regularly along the Black Isle coastline, especially in the spring and summer months. September is an ideal month to venture on a hiking journey in Scotland if you want to absorb the lovely sunlight of the summer, but would rather avoid the heat that comes with the season. Bottlenose and common varieties tend to be seen with more frequency, whereas the other types of dolphin prefer to swim and hunt in deeper waters. Yes you should be able to theres the beach to walk along and its dog friendly as well as a footpath. The most exciting sight is to see the dolphins throw the fish in the water. Scotland does experience a rainy winter, but again, the temperatures are mild enough that its manageable. Before hiking Scotland in autumn you should prepare for summer weather as well as autumn weather remember to pack layers of clothing in your rucksack as it could be warm like a summers day, but later on in the day could become colder and youll need to be ready to add layers should the weather decide to change. Around 75% of the UKs Red Squirrels can be found in Scotland. You could try swimming with wild dolphins at your own risk, but if they had young they might not like your presence amongst them. There is nothing more satisfying than the crunching of snow under your boots when out for a wintery walk. Two Wandering Soles Copyright 2023. For nature lovers and those wanting to spot dolphins (which I assume is you since youre reading this post!) What permits do I need? Ive watched a photographer ruin his kit as hed not moved it in time! Brave the cold late at night to stargaze and try to spot the Northern Lights when the sky is clear. Sign up for the mailing list and receive this free travel itinerary. Scotland makes a great place to travel for jaw-dropping scenery, interesting history and a lively, welcoming culture. May to September. This article contains affiliate links. April and May also bring several whiskey festivals to regions across the country. Business members please sign in here to access your membership benefits. This area is primarily rural and agricultural, defined by picture-perfect gently rolling green hills. Daylight hours are short in Scotland during winter, with just 7-8 hours of daily sunlight. In our opinion, the best time to visit Scotland is during the spring or fall, with a few exceptions. Red Deer are Scotlands largest land mammal and are also the biggest of the deer family they are a huge icon of Scotland and the Stag has become a symbol of the Highlands famous Speyside Glenfiddich Whisky. Questions about Scotland? Many of these locations are within 1-hour walking distance within the Inverness city center. As the temperatures drop, the fall foliage begins to put on an impressive show, creating a photographers paradise especially in the Highlands. There is something immensely heartening about watching a vast animal protrude from the surface of the water before disappearing back into the blue. Go island-hopping near Skye, the Outer Hebrides, or Shetland, Rain gear to keep you dry (although spring is the driest month here, the weather is also in a transition period with ever-changing conditions! A pair of Dolphins stopping by the boat to say hello to Wilderness Scotland travellers. in order to have the best experience. Jump down to see our personal advice for the best time to visit Scotland. you can keep an eye out for dolphins from the ramparts of the fort. Humpback whales tend to be grey or black in appearance with white markings on their underbelly and can be distinguished from other species of whales by their rather large flippers. Your email address will not be published. Its a small natural area on the banks of the Beauly Firth same stretch of water but a different name here! While summer is a great time to witness hinds (female deer) and calves run through the hills autumn provides an incredible opportunity to see Red Deer in their natural habitat and this is especially true for the male Stag Red Deer. Its not freezing rain like youre probably imagining (usually, anyway!). The Cuckoo migrates to Scotland in April and this signals the beginning of the Spring season. Worst Taskmaster Contestants: Here are the 10 most unsuccessful Taskmaster contestants of all time - from Victoria Coren Mitchell to David Baddiel. There are around 200 Bottlenose dolphins that live all year in the chilly waters of the Moray Firth and around the East Coast of Scotland and half this population are seen regularly along the Black Isle coastline, especially in the spring and summer months. One can check the tide time for a given day on WillyWeather and time your visit to 1 hour afterward. The central Lowlands are home to both fertile farmland and almost all of Scotlands larger cities. It is a common stop off point for many on the North Coast 500 itinerary where you can catch a glimpse of some marine life. The best places to see dolphins in Scotland The cool waters surrounding Scotland are the perfect habitat for the sleek marine mammal, with bottlenose, white Plan your trip with our round up of all the best things to do in Edinburgh, including the quintessential activities and some off the beaten path experiences you wont want to miss! Here's some more info on Scotland's dolphins and particularly those in the Moray Firth colony on the north east coast. Keep an eye out for them scrambling up trees or catch a glimpse of red fur high in the branches above you as they elegantly dance through the air. Located in the starting point of the famous North Coast 500 route, this town has a lot of attractions to offer like the Inverness castle and many scenic drives including around Loch Ness. On average there are 38 days of snow in Scotland, with 26 days of settled snow on the ground. We caught up with Charlie Phillips A professional wildlife photographer, and a Whale and Dolphin Conservation Field Officer (he studies dolphins for a living!). Thats not all! Read more about my return journey tackling the infamous Bad Step here! Charlie and his wife Susan also own an art studio and gift shop in the village of North Kessock. Built to stop any further Jacobite rebellions, it was never used after the decisive victory at Culloden. for postcard-worthy scenery, several easy hikes, and charming Victorian towns. Autumn is a time of colourful landscapes and glowing skies. While this can make it feel like youre racing against time to cram everything in, the shorter days offer more time to enjoy the night sky, plus potentially even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Its possible to spot dolphins all along the east coast, particularly in the Cromarty and Moray Firths. Summer is definitely the high season in Scotland. Located in Caithness on the NC500, experience Scottish Gin & Vodka, handcrafted with Highland Botanicals. In March, temperatures generally hover in the 40s and low 50s (4-15C), but by May, upper 70s (23+C) arent uncommon! Hi Julia, thanks for the comment. If you want to test out the Cuckoo superstitions in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland then youll have until Autumn at the latest to test your theories! Its thought that the Moray Firth bottlenose dolphin population is around 200 making this group the most northerly in the World. Sapphire blue lochs (lakes) and narrow inlets dot the landscape, adding stunning character to the rugged peaks, glacier-carved valleys, and tiny islands. Best Time to Visit Scotland: When to Go & When to Avoid! We put together this overview to help you determine the best time to visit Scotland and what you can expect during each season. Just across the water, you can get an entirely different perspective on the Moray Firth from the shores of 18th century fortress, Fort George. By now the leaves on the trees have turned into a lovely golden brown and Pine forests look spectacular in the distance providing an incredibly unique view. WebThen there are a number of locations where dolphins are fairly regularly spotted, these are at the Inverness Kessock Bridge area and Fort George near Inverness, and in Moray at Burghead, Hopeman and Spey Bay. Exploring the Shiant Isles is another great way to see a colony of Puffins in their natural habitat within Scotland. Whether you witness the sight of just a fin or a full breach, there are many locations throughout Scotland to see any one of the estimated 300 or so dolphins that call the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean home. If you prefer to spot Minke Whales during the warmest time of the year then it is recommended to travel to Scotland during the Summer, but if you enjoy the cooler weather then spring is a great season for a Scottish holiday adventure. Holidays that you view will be shown here. I would recommend getting there early to make sure to get a parking spot, we were so lucky to have gotten the last spot. Reaching up to 4 metres in length when full grown, they are a large-bodied dolphin, generally a uniform shade of darker grey on the back, fading to paler grey underneath with a curved dorsal fin and a short beak. Create your own Harry Potter-themed adventure, exploring several of the locations that inspired the books and movies. There are wooden benches around the stoney beach to view from. To increase your chances of a sighting, the best time to visit is between May and September, although document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Two Wandering Soles are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. However, remember you can spot dolphins all along the Moray Firth Coast and also take a dolphin boat trip. Pine Martins, historically were spread throughout the UK, but unfortunately due to deforestation in the 19th and 20th centuries, they faced near extinction. Best Time to Visit Japan: When to Go & When to Avoid! Broughty Ferry Castle, at the entrance to the Firth of Tay, also gives an elevated perspective for potential observations. So the best time to visit for you largely depends on what you want to see and do. Learn about what a Scottish summer is like. The best time of day to see dolphins at Chanonry Point near Inverness is when the tide is rising. While it often gets overshadowed by neighboring countries from a tourism standpoint, Scotland is one place you should have on your bucket list! Im sure you want to know just when the warmest month in Scotland actually is you may discover that a number of Scottish locals joke that our sunny summer weather lasts only around a few days, or maybe as long as a week! Just make sure youre wrapped up warm and have the appropriate gear for walking in wintery weather low down and higher up. Add listings to your favourites by clicking the heart icon as you navigate the website. Summer is also a great time to spot wildlife as different animals appear more frequent in number during the months of summer. Our local area is one of the best areas in Scotland for porpoise and we see them on the vast majority of summer trips. Chanonry Point may be one of the best places in Scotland to see dolphins, the land juts out into the Moray Firth forming a natural peninsula and creates the perfect spot to see them feed (and play if you're lucky). kitesurfing on the eastern coast. You should not miss the perfect chance to see the dolphins here One of the Free Scottish Wildlife Experience. Fort George is directly across the water from Chanonry Point and itself built on another peninsula, so gives another ideal place for viewing dolphins. Since its the other side of Chanonry Point keep an eye on tide times around low tide and an hour after could be good. Coronation Street actress Barbara Young dies aged 92, Nurses strike continues: Major disruption for NHS services in England, Additional flight to evacuate Britons from Sudan today, Ryanair cancels 220 flights over May 1 bank holiday due to strikes, Hardcore coronation fans already camped outside Buckingham Palace, One dead and seven injured in Cornwall nightclub knife attack. The village of North Kessock lies just north of Inverness, over the Kessock bridge. October really is the greatest month to visit Scotland if you want to hike the landscapes during Scotlands full autumn glory. This trip is operated by our England team. Ardnamurchan Point, Mull, and Red Point, south of Gairloch often have white-beaked and Rissos dolphins in their waters. Gestation is quite long at 12 months and females give birth to a single fully formed calf every 3 to 6 years. Their impressive size enables them to swim through the sea in a similar way to a submarine in essence, they are an organic submarine, although they are not fitted with the traditional submarine periscopes weve all seen in classic movies of yesteryear! You are never guaranteed to see the dolphins, but knowing the best places to see them will greatly increase your chances. Rosemarkie is also a good place to stay if you want to be close by to dolphin spotting, perhaps if youre a photographer wanting to visit often. The Moray Firth is another popular cetacean-spotting location thanks to the residency of nearly 130 of the same bottlenose species. Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Further south, between Moray Firth and Beauly Firth, and just north of Inverness, the shoreline at Kessock Bridge offers excellent dolphin-spotting opportunities. Explore the countrys many castles and ruins, Visit the botanical gardens in either Glasgow or Edinburgh to experience the gorgeous spring bloom, Try out (or watch!) Scotland gets a bit of a bad rap when it comes to weather. Explore Scotlands more than 1,500 castles. Similar to the North of Scotland mainland, Dolphins in the Outer Hebrides are best seen during Spring and Summer months but chances are that Summer is the greatest time to see Dolphins because the water should be at its warmest. Check the map out for some of my favourite spots to see dolphins around the Inverness area: The dolphins are seen year round on the coast of Scotland near Inverness but there are certain times of the year where they are easier to spot and more frequently seen. Dolphin watching holidays in Greece tend to focus closely on conservation research when you travel with responsible providers there are several species in these waters and they face a wide range of threats. Both the capital city of Edinburgh and the largest city, Glasgow, are located here, along with several others. You can see them jumping in the air, frolicking and being playful they are truly a joy to see! One summery outfit for surprise warm days, especially in September, A quality camera to capture the fall foliage, Edinburgh, for winter festivals and many (free!) Galloway Forest Park for top-notch stargazing and hopefully, the Northern Lights! This could possibly be because they migrate from Iceland and Norway in the summer and set sail to the coasts of North-West Africa in the winter and would have to pass Scotland to reach their destination. We checked the WillyWeather site before the night for the low tide time and reached the point at about 10 am when the low tide time was marked 9 am. Even though August is the last month of summer the average temperature stays the same as June and July so in August you can still look forward to many hours of daylight and a fantastically warm sun shining over the hills and the Glens. WebDolphin spotting in the Western Isles is a popular choice of pastime for wildlife enthusiasts, while Outer Hebrides whale watching cruises are a truly amazing way to spend a day in our islands. Overall, we recommend visiting in May or September for your trip to Scotland, so youll have the best chance for warmer, drier weather and fewer crowds. Ive only passed by Inverness once and that was on the way to Skye, so I had no idea you could see dolphins here! You can also spot them in the Minch (a narrow passage of water separating the North West Highlands and the North Inner Hebrides from Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides) when travelling by Ferry from Inverness to Stornoway during a Wilderness Scotland adventure journeying to the Outer Hebrides. During the warmer months, a variety of different sea life can appear be on the lookout for Dolphins, Killer whales, Minke whales and maybe even catch a rare glimpse of Humpback whales! The best time of year to watch dolphins in Scotland is in July. You can see Chris's personal photography portfolio on flickr.com/colourjam. No snow? The weather changes rapidly over the course of spring in Scotland. Choose an area to see article indexes from other parts of Scotland. Carry on up the A832 to the historic town of Cromarty and near the harbour there is EcoVentures, a superb 5 star Dolphin and wildlife watching boat trip that can whisk you out into the Cromarty Firth and beyond on their two Rigid Inflatable Craft where dolphins, seabird colonies and possibly a whale or two could be enjoyed! You cant just rock up along the coast and expect to see troupes of dancing dolphins skipping about offshore. Bring your binoculars and tripods during your trip. We compiled some handy resources of information about hiking in Scotland covering the different seasons of the year, so you can find out what travelling in Scotland is like during different months. There are some nice facilities here including a cafe, gift shop and toilet and a superb exhibition. If youre hoping to spot dolphins in their natural environment, here are the best places to visit. There are no guarantees. I knew they were there, I knew you could see them close, but I still expected them to be a dot in the sea! Tripods will likely be too slow to "get the shot", you could try a monopod but the best way is handheld, give those upper arms a workout! Although they love the salmon in the waters off Moray, they also love eels, shrimp, squid and other fish which they devour whole without chewing. While she is busy with her full time job as a computer technologist, she is an active explorer during her spare time. If the conditions are right, Scottish winters are the epitome of winter wonderland. Important Note: One thing to be aware of when visiting Scotland in the fall is that many popular tourist attractions shut down for the winter season in early November. Still, there are certain times of year youll want to plan your trip around (and some youll want to avoid!) Its where I always aim to visit and where I think Ive only ever not seen them once (out of the prime season). I founded Planet Hopper Girl aiming to promote traveling as a lifestyle, the ultimate way to discover yourself and find freedom. December is usually the mildest month, with average temperatures of around 4C/39F. Youll find less-crowded attractions, cheaper accommodations, unique winter wonderland experiences, and surprisingly mild weather. Spring is an excellent time to spot Red Squirrels in Scotland. Visitors please sign in here to access your membership benefits. You can drive up through the Highlands of Scotland and take the car ferry over to Orkney. Dolphins in Chanonry point appear around the rising tide time and the best time to see them is 1 hour after the low tide time. Dolphin watching holidays in the Azores, as scores of these beautiful and intelligent creatures swim around you, is not an experience to be quickly forgotten. I suggest heading into the village and parking up looking over the water. Best place in the world to see dolphins from the land, so you gotta go again I bet. Oh my I had no idea we could see dolphins in Scotland! Short-beaked common dolphins can be identified by a figure of eight on their flanks formed through distinctive yellow and white flashes around their dorsal fins. As mentioned before, I have had the pleasure of seeing dolphins from a boat, and it truly is a special experience if they come up close to the boat and say "hello". Thinking about your answers to these questions is going to help you start to determine when to visit Scotland. Click on one of the links below to find out more: Hiking the remote location of Knoydart during the month of Spring. Dolphins, seals and porpoise are usually spotted in the area as they feed in the channel. There are plenty of sea activities here with multiple ships and yachts sailing by and there were also folks enjoying a kayak here. It is a bit long, but we have managed to catch the dolphins throwing the fish in this video. After waiting for almost two hours, we started to see dolphins appear. Fantastic morning out with North 58 along the Moray Coast, lucky enough to see Dolphins and Seals along with some gan 2022 7. There was once a time that it was actually quite rare to see Dolphins swimming in the Hebridean Islands of Scotland, but now they seem to now be much easier to spot in the area. When March approaches the temperature in Scotland begins to rise and the cold winter chill fades away. They were swimming close by for over 1 hour while we were there and we had to leave to see other attractions but trust me, I wished I could just watch them all day. Salmon start to migrate to the Moray coast in spring and this continues into the summer, which attracts the Dolphins looking to feed. You can check times on theWillyWeather website, click the tide tab. You can also take your water sports equipment and head out into the sea to see the dolphins up close to here. In this blog, we will cover the best places to see dolphins in Scotland plan your Scotland bucket list, alongside my experience of dolphin watching in Inverness Scotland and some top tips to maximize your chances of seeing them. Its easy to walk to from Inverness but you can also take public transport which will drop you off at the reserve youll want bus number 3. July and Augusttend to be the sunniest months in Scotland, but really even as early as spring, we can enjoy beautiful sunny weather, although it can be somewhat cooler in spring compared to summer. Most dolphin watching holidays will also include plenty of time in between boat trips, so here are some of our top activities you can enjoy when not looking out for these marine mammals. Whale. Plan a couple of days nearChanonry Pointin June to maximise your chances of seeing these awesome creatures in their natural environment. The warmest months of Summer in Scotland are likely to be July and August where we enjoy an average temperature of 19 C/66F each year. The Atlantic Puffin is similar to its north Pacific relative, The Horned Puffin, but can be easily distinguished by a steel-blue triangle located on the base of its beak. Locally everyone loves dolphin watching, sometimes photos will be posted up to local Facebook groups or Flickr and there is always a great deal of interest in these beautifulcetaceans. 2 miles north of Chanonry Point is the Fairy Glen Falls walk, with two beautiful waterfalls, well worth a visit before or after seeing the dolphins. Dolphin & Whale Watching in Scottish Highlands, Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands. You can walk over to theSpey Viaductfrom Spey Bay, and over to Garmouth, a really nice walk on a sunny day and a great place to also see Ospreys hunting. Pods often travel up this way after visiting Chanonry Point, and Kessock Bridge has the added benefit of being much more peaceful than that more famous viewing spot. This site contains affiliate links and as such any purchases or bookings made after clicking may earn me a commission. Watch dolphins from a respectable distance and they will be happy. However, dolphins can also be spotted during autumn and spring. The predominance of bottlenose dolphins is also a feature of the waters on the west coast, with over 60 members of the species living in the Sound of Barra and the Hebrides. Clear skies provide jaw-droppingly beautiful views of the night sky and perhaps even a glimpse of the Northern Lights, and theres truly nothing like European Christmas markets! Grey seals can be identified by their larger size than common seals and are normally grey coloured with darker spots. Bottlenose dolphins are perhaps the best-known of the cetaceans found around Scotland. September might be too wet for long-distance treks, but October is drier, and stunning with fall foliage. If you manage to catch them at these feeding grounds you are in for a treat and many photo opportunities. Since the 1980s they have been protected by UK law and ever since they have been gradually rising in numbers. Humpback whales are not a species commonly seen in Scotland, but it is possible you may spot some swimming the seas around the north of Scotland and Shetland in the heart of the summer season.

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