best time to see dolphins in scotland

A young wildcat in the Highland Wildlife Park. 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. If youre hoping to spot dolphins in their natural environment, here are the best places to visit. 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. In late October, the days start to become noticeably shorter, with 10-13 hours of daily sunlight. Dolphin In the Azores, pods tend to be largest in these months, and you may also see a few cute calves. Daylight hours are short in Scotland during winter, with just 7-8 hours of daily sunlight. 6 Reasons to go Winter Walking in Scotland, VIDEO: Winter days in the Scottish Highlands, Winter Wildlife: How to Recognise Those Tracks, Search for Minke whales on an unforgettable hiking and wildlife adventure to the incredible. Below youll find a break down of the average temps and rainfall in Scotland by month: Psst! The dolphins come to this point as its where the firth meets the sea and theres a natural bottleneck. Located between Fortrose and Rosemarkie, south of Cromarty, the narrow peninsula of Chanonry Point is well known as the best place to see pods of dolphins in Scotland. He has travelled all over Scotland and experienced all it has to offer. Summer and winter in Scotland bring the most rainfall, while the spring and fall are surprisingly the driest seasons. 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. Different species of dolphin frequent the west coast of Scotland, as well as the Scottish Isles. Toggle navigation. Keep an eye out for eagles, seals, and puffins. Tell us in the comments section. Spring and fall offer the opportunity for a more affordable trip with fewer crowds, but with access to many of the same experiences. For those who would like the chance of seeing dolphins but dont have transport this tour from Inverness might be worth considering and includes other local sights as well. Latest species sightings This is a map of all cetacean (whale, dolphin and porpoise) sightings recorded in the North East Atlantic by our ORCA Marine Mammal surveyors over the last decade. Everything from eagles to otters, seals to seabirds, can be seen in Scotland and sometimes its the people that youre with who leave the most lasting impression. Both summer and winter have plenty to offer as well. Learn more. Theres a car park nearby for those driving. To increase your chances of a sighting, the best time to visit is between May and September, although September might be too wet for long-distance treks, but October is drier, and stunning with fall foliage. A greater range of species can be encountered by the dolphin-spotter who ventures further north than Dundee or Aberdeen. Though the water is cold here and dolphins usually prefer warm water, they are here for the Scottish Atlantic salmon. ), were all taken by me or James while at Chanonry Point. I suggest heading into the village and parking up looking over the water. https://planethoppergirl.com/dolphin-watching-in-inverness-scotland Its also a time when an array of beautiful spring flowers begin to bloom. Located at the east side of the mouth of the Spey, the WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre is dedicated to whale and dolphin conservation. Sapphire blue lochs (lakes) and narrow inlets dot the landscape, adding stunning character to the rugged peaks, glacier-carved valleys, and tiny islands. Croatia: A Completely Honest Travel Guide, Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia: Ultimate Visitors Guide, 20 Cant-Miss Things to Do in Split, Croatia + Travel Guide, Krka National Park Croatia: Ultimate Guide, Edinburgh for festivals, buzzy nightlife, and tons of Medieval history, Glasgow makes a great summertime basecamp for experiencing a little of everything Scotland has to offer, with a location close to both the coast and the Highlands, Chase epic outdoor adventures in Isle of Skye and the Highlands, St. Andrews to play a round of golf at one of the most iconic courses in the world, Stirling offers a great mix of the Lowlands and Highlands culture, Check out The Fringe Festival, held over multiple weeks in August, Get a unique perspective of Scotlands rugged coast with a guided sea kayaking tour (fun fact: Scotland is home to 10% of Europes entire coastline!). The joy of watching dolphins swim in their natural habitat so close to you is an unbeatable experience not to miss in Scotland. 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. While sightings can readily be made from the shore, local firms are available to take customers out on the water, thus presenting an even better opportunity to see the animals up close without the potential need for binoculars. Not too far away, Merkinch Local Nature Reserve is a beautiful and quiet green spot to see all kinds of wildlife, including dolphins. The weather is changeable this time of year, but rarely extreme. Jump down to see our personal advice for the best time to visit Scotland. You can check times on theWillyWeather website, click the tide tab. There are also a number of local businesses offering boat trips to spot not only dolphins but seals and a host of other sea life. And dont forget to pick up a guide book! Sometimes Killer whales are mentioned by their original name Orcas, which comes from the Latin phrase Orcinus orca. The Latin phrase translated means the whale of the kingdom of the dead. The name Killer Whale comes from the fact that they also hunt other types of whales as well as prey on fish and seals. kitesurfing on the eastern coast. Celebrate St. Andrews Day with the locals. Chris is also a keen photographer and has had work published on the BBC news website and local news outlets. The grass on the Moors gradually begins to fade to red and the trees come alive with shades of yellow, red, and orange. 1 hour after low tide is a good reference point to aim for. Interesting fact: until the 1950s people believed that they were actually man-eaters they somewhat gained mythical legendary status similar to Bigfoot or the Sasquatch of North America.. 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. sports at the famous Highland Games. No problem. The average temperature for this month tends to be a baking 17C/64F remember to bring a good amount of water during the summer to avoid dehydration while hiking the hills! Luxury must be comfortable otherwise it is not luxury at all, Savour some of Scotland's best seafood, local produce & distilleries, Take a trip on the wild side and rest your weary head where you like, Award Winning Hospitality - The Kingsmills Hotel and Ness Walk. Kind of like when in Rome When in Scotland, drink as the Scots do! Similar to March, the month of April offers welcome dry spells as the climate becomes increasingly warmer across the country from the North to the South of Scotland. The best time to see dolphins in Scotland is the summertime from the end of May until September, though dolphins are here throughout the year. Grey seals can be identified by their larger size than common seals and are normally grey coloured with darker spots. In March expect 93 hours of sunshine for the whole month, allowing a good amount of daylight to explore the beauty of the Scottish outdoors each and every day. 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! 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. 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. Questions about Scotland? Best bit you dont have to go on a boat (although you can do that too). The best places to spot these impressive mammals in Scotland is around the Inner Hebrides and Skye. Absolutely fantastic resource that you have created. No snow? Hope you go see them one day. In these regions, you can take boat tours to see dolphins swim in the sea. April tends to be a warmer month than March as the average temperature rises to approximately 10C/50F. In March, temperatures generally hover in the 40s and low 50s (4-15C), but by May, upper 70s (23+C) arent uncommon! This area is also a spectacular place to spot dolphins if you are lucky enough the speedboat will stop and let you see these lovely creatures up close. spot some dolphins for myself! WebThe best time to see minke whales in Scotland is from the end of May to September. 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. The best time of year to watch dolphins in Scotland is in July. When is the Best Time to Hike in Scotland? Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "acf2f96a382fe896d761bf31a857c670" );document.getElementById("cd1d15c3cb").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi there! As May is at the tail end of spring, expect to see a glimpse of summer with warmer temperatures averaging 12C/55F. See our cookie policy for more information. National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. Moray Firth in Inverness also offers boat tours for dolphin watching. October, as well as September, is a time when fewer people travel to Scotland, as spring and summer are seen as the time to travel by many, but autumn should never be underestimated you will see some amazing sights that only autumn can provide! WebHonest, easy to read advice on the best time to watch dolphins and what species to see at different times of year. The best time of day to see dolphins at Chanonry Point near Inverness is when the tide is rising. Bottlenose dolphins are larger than common dolphins and mainly grey, with lighter, whiter underbellies. I didnt realize dolphins were so prominent in Scotland. Scotland has native dolphins in the North sea and now you know it is easy to watch them for free too. Pine Martins, historically were spread throughout the UK, but unfortunately due to deforestation in the 19th and 20th centuries, they faced near extinction. 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". 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! A Minke Whale decides to swim alongside a group as if it thought the boat was part of its pod. These animals, famous for travelling in large groups known as pods, tend to be the most well-sighted due to their sociable nature and likelihood of being near the shore to hunt for food. Lets get right into it and break down the best time to visit Scotland and what you can expect during your trip. Dolphin. Another tale involves the ancient standing stone monument at Callanish located on the Isle of Lewis know as the Standing Stones of Callanish. Best Time of Year to Visit Scotland | Top Guide for Visitors Where do you think the best locations for dolphin-spotting are? Autumn is the deer breeding season (or rut) and it is during this time that there is a higher chance to see a male Stag wandering around the mountainsides roaring at the top of his lungs. There are wooden benches around the stoney beach to view from. Read more about my return journey tackling the infamous Bad Step here! Chanonry Point is one of the most popular spots in Inverness to see the dolphins swim from the land. Some Grey Seals having a splash in the cool water of North Ronaldsay in Orkney. WebScotlands summer sunshine presents the best time to watch dolphins in the wild, with weather conditions during May to September presenting peak viewing potential from land and at sea. During what season did you visit and what was your experience like? There are some nice facilities here including a cafe, gift shop and toilet and a superb exhibition. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Whales, Dolphins and Seals Summit Ben Nevis in the Highlands, the highest mountain in all of the UK, or explore some shorter waterfall trails. Home Blog United Kingdom Best Time to Visit Scotland: When to Go & When to Avoid! The truth is we can have a feast of sunshine during our Summer months of June, July and August. Hear the lovely crunch of leaves under your feet by exploring our Autumn Highlands hiking adventure. The best time to see them is when the tide begins to rise again after low tide. The best time to visit Scotland overall is during the spring and fall, just outside of peak tourism season (summer) and when the weather is most pleasant. 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. My kids are grown now but do come along sometimes! Brave the cold late at night to stargaze and try to spot the Northern Lights when the sky is clear. Be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers. Best time for dolphin watching Dolphins, seals and porpoise are usually spotted in the area as they feed in the channel. If you happen to be on the other side of the Moray Firth and exploring Fort George then you can also see them from there, although you might need some binoculars to get a good view. There are opportunities for skiing and snowboarding, the traditional holiday markets are not to be missed, and in our opinion, winter is the best, liveliest time to explore Scotlands cities. Sea life fans staying on Lewis, Harris, North or South Uist, Eriskay, Berneray, Barra and Vatersay can take boat trips to spot marine mammals. I recommend the land experience if you dont want to spend money on a boat tour. The best time to see minke whales off the coast of the Isle of Skye is between May and October. Chris Thornton is an expert on Scotland and has lived there for over 35 years. Check out this video below: Read more about what to wear for summer hiking in Scotland. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Located in Caithness on the NC500, experience Scottish Gin & Vodka, handcrafted with Highland Botanicals. As well as bottlenose dolphins, you may well catch sight of ospreys, grey and common seals, the occasional otter and many coastal birds here. The summer months are the peak times to see them and if you want to see them close up like I did at Chanonry Point then its also worth checking the tide times for a specific time of day to see them. Explore Scotlands more than 1,500 castles. These are my top 4 spots for trying to spot dolphins in the Moray Firth: This is the best place to see dolphins near Inverness. Their boats will take you out in search of dolphins, otters, seabirds and they even occasionally catch a glimpse of a whale too! Since the 1980s they have been protected by UK law and ever since they have been gradually rising in numbers. This file is auto-generated */ !function(c,d){"use strict";var e=!1,n=!1;if(d.querySelector)if(c.addEventListener)e=!0;if(c.wp=c.wp||{},!c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage)if(c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if(t)if(t.secret||t.message||t.value)if(!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var r,a,i,s=d.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),n=d.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=0;o 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. Honestly, Id say it was the best place for seeing dolphins you can see them without disturbing them and quite often too. Bring your binoculars and tripods during your trip. Best Castles near LondonVisiting the D-Day beaches of NormandyDay trips from York1 day in York, EnglandVisiting Stonehenge. Scotland is considered one of the best places in the world to see wild dolphins, and my own area of the Moray Coast is home to a pod of 200, regularly seen from the coast between Macduff, Lossiemouth and beyond. Really, spring and summer are a good to time to go dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth. Chanonry Point is located between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle and has its own car park. It also makes timing your visit a little easier too. Its where I always aim to visit and where I think Ive only ever not seen them once (out of the prime season). There are still plenty of activities to do and places to explore before the last of the warm weather says goodbye for winter, so fall is one of the best times to visit Scotland. The spit of land by Chanonry Point lighthouse is ever changing with the tides so, especially if you arrive when the tide is coming in, watch your belongings and your feet. Spring and fall, Scotlands shoulder seasons, both have moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. It is typically the male that creates the cuckoo sound while a female Cuckoo calls out with more of a gurgling sound almost like water flowing down a sinkhole after removing a plug from your sink! Best Best place in the world to see dolphins from the land, so you gotta go again I bet. Great info, thanks! If you are interested in Scottish wildlife, why not check out my articles on bears, wolves,adders, newts, pine martensand highland cows. If you are looking for a hiking adventure with a difference then visiting Scotland in autumn is truly otherworldly. Free to visit, the centre is based in an 18th century salmon fishing station, and is a haven for wildlife. A pod of Killer Whales (Orcas) submerge from the sea during one of our wilderness holidays. You can expect a mix of clear blue skies and cloudy grey days during winter in Scotland, with occasional rain, snow and ice. Autumn is also a great opportunity to witness a variety of wildlife that you can see in the summer, but also there is a higher chance of encountering majestic Red Deer in the hills and if you are really lucky maybe you will spot the rare wildcat running around the Cairngorms National Park in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The end of Septemberand the beginning of October is when the stunning golden and brown landscapes of autumn really start to make their presence known. While whales are most commonly spotted in the west of Scotland, cheeky and charming wild dolphins have primarily claimed the east coast of the country as their home. Wildcats are the most difficult type of animal to encounter in Scotland, but if you ever happen to be hiking the bonny hills of Highland Scotland during the lovely golden season of Autumn be sure to keep a keen eye in the distance and you just may glimpse this rare animal out hunting in the wild. Scotland does experience a rainy winter, but again, the temperatures are mild enough that its manageable. Yeh me neither Hannah, but that was my best discovery as I really enjoyed seeing dolphins from the land in Inverness. This below ship when emerged which reminded me of many stories including the Norwegian Vikings, Copenhagen, Portugal, and even India. Clicking on the link below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website. Best Atlantic white-sided, white-beaked, common, bottlenose and Rissos dolphins, along with the most distinctive and largest variety of dolphin, orcas, can all be seen swimming in Scottish waters. We did a circle tour in a rented car (Arnold Clark) and used Airbnb. 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. Although it is possible to see them from most headlands, many sightings are reported from Neist Point. In the Cairngorm mountains, you can expect to see some remnants of snow still remaining from the winter months even duringMay. During some years when we are really lucky, we experience summer super early and can experience an incredible 21C/70F. According to the Met Office, the average highest temperature for the month of March in Scotland can be around 7C/45F. If the conditions are right, Scottish winters are the epitome of winter wonderland. Just make sure youre wrapped up warm and have the appropriate gear for walking in wintery weather low down and higher up. 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. 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. Your best bet is to go with a guide and look out for dolphins from the headland or take one of the regular ferries out to the surrounding islands. Summer promises long days, pleasant temperatures, and festivals galore. Dolphins in Scotland, where to see Moray Firth Dolphins! Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers. 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! ]]> As spring approaches its time to celebrate the warmer weather as the sun becomes stronger and we bid a fond farewell to the magnificent snow that covers our Highland mountains and the streets below in the winter months. You can also take your water sports equipment and head out into the sea to see the dolphins up close to here. Bottlenose dolphin Some destinations are far more suited than others for family dolphin watching holidays. Both Land watching dolphins is a prime activity here. Summer brings festivals Edinburghs world-famous one comes to mind and long, light, late nights. So the best time to visit for you largely depends on what you want to see and do. Since its so close to Inverness its good if you dont have your own transport. Find out more about Chris on the about page. Orcas are unmissable, although dont expect to see much more of these giant black and white beasts other than a fin or tail. On the opposite shore to Chanonry Point, Fort George is a good place to go if you want to combine some history with a bit of dolphin spotting too! Fort George is an 18th-century fortress near Ardersier and Inverness. Scotland Camping: Essential Tips + Best Campsites. THE 10 BEST Scotland Dolphin & Whale Watching Tours (with Things get chillier as winter progresses and the best months for snow are January and February which is great with the lengthening days to maximise your opportunity to enjoy the wintery countryside. Ever since the magic of that first day seeing them so close, every time were near Inverness we always try and go to that spot to see if we are lucky again. Adult Cuckoo birds tend to leave Scotland between June or July and travel an incredible distance of more than 7,000 miles to live in Africa until the springtime. The Isles truly are an incredible sight to behold and there is nothing quite like witnessing the bird colony in person. It is not only very budget-friendly but purely an extraordinary experience. Built to stop any further Jacobite rebellions, it was never used after the decisive victory at Culloden. Our dolphin watching holiday companies have shared their top dolphin watching advice to help you plan your trip. Events are held throughout the country from May through August. There are healthy populations of both bottlenose and common dolphins in Scotland, and they are quite easy to spot, particularly from small islands on the west coast. The Moray Firth Try the beach below the lighthouse at Chanonry Point on the north shore, or the WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre on the south shore Get yourself some food from one of the local establishments theres a cafe, fish and chips and a small shop too and park yourself on a bench to see if you can find any dolphins! I founded Planet Hopper Girl aiming to promote traveling as a lifestyle, the ultimate way to discover yourself and find freedom. As winter fades and the warmer weather of spring emerges, the snow begins to melt, animals poke their heads out, and the countryside greens up and comes alive again. Learn about what a Scottish summer is like. Typically, Minke whales have a blue or greyish-black appearance with a white underside and in contrast to Killer whales, they are smaller in size measuring around 5.5 meters in length whereas Killer whales are around 6 8 meters in length.

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