The activity map is also available. Simply enter your email and we'll send it your way! How did I have no idea you can see dolphins in Scotland??? We caught up with Charlie Phillips A professional wildlife photographer, and a Whale and Dolphin Conservation Field Officer (he studies dolphins for a living!). The activity map is also available. Crunchy snow underneath your boots, sparkly fields, and the most beautiful night skies. Explore the many stunning lochs. 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. I find it hard to put in words sometimes how amazing it was to see dolphins quite so close up as I did in Scotland once. 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! Scotland Camping: Essential Tips + Best Campsites. WebYou can go for a morning or afternoon saunter along the wooded coastal walkway for about 5 km between the villages of Kippford and Rockcliffe, with cute houses, colourful plants and scampering squirrels to spot along the way. and more of the coast between Inverness and Aberdeen. Learn more about the great Cuckoo from Wilderness Expert Jonathan Willet. Look out across the Moray Firth just as the tide starts to rise, and you are highly likely to spot dolphins as they swim in-land to feed. Lastly, there are plenty of compelling reasons to visit Scotland in the winter. My kids are grown now but do come along sometimes! Its not freezing rain like youre probably imagining (usually, anyway!). 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. October really is the greatest month to visit Scotland if you want to hike the landscapes during Scotlands full autumn glory. Theres a car park nearby for those driving. Due to Scotlands far northern latitude, summer days have up to 18 hours of daylight, but in the winter, that number drops to just seven or eight. To the east of Fort George is Spey Bay, another dolphin-watching hot spot. Plan a couple of days nearChanonry Pointin June to maximise your chances of seeing these awesome creatures in their natural environment. Psst! Our dolphin watching holiday companies have shared their top dolphin watching advice to help you plan your trip. 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. 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!) The Black Isle sea around Moray Firth, the east coast of Scotland, has lots of bottlenose dolphins, where you can watch the dolphins swimming and playing just from the shore, 10 meters in front of you. Hi, I am Jumana, a technologist and a road trip expert traveling the world in my spare time. Wildcats are a very rare creature and difficult to spot, born in early spring they usually can be best spotted in the Cairngorms during winter when they work their hardest hunting to survive, but it is possible to see them in earlier months with autumn being your best bet. Temperatures are definitely a little colder, but not unbearable by any meansusually between 35-45F (1-7C) in the cities and lower elevation areas. Because we also have individual travel guides for more specific wildlife holidays, such as our safaris, bear watching and whale watching. You could try swimming with wild dolphins at your own risk, but if they had young they might not like your presence amongst them. This is an unbeatable experience to see dolphins swim so close to you, playing and throwing salmon fish around. 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. Thanks, Your email address will not be published. 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. I was so fortunate to experience dolphin watching at Chanonry point Inverness during a road trip in Scotland. WebHonest, easy to read advice on the best time to watch dolphins and what species to see at different times of year. Chanonry Point Located between Fortrose and Rosemarkie, south However, summer is a fantastic time to go Dolphin watching along the Moray Firth as youll benefit from the lovely sunny days with hours of daylight stretching throughout the hours. 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. Dolphins, whales & basking sharks in Scotland Two Wandering Soles Copyright 2023. Check out one of several literary festivals that take place around the country. Youll see temperatures around the low 60s (16-18C) throughout most of fall, so its a perfect time to get outside and enjoy this countrys spectacular nature. Since the 1980s they have been protected by UK law and ever since they have been gradually rising in numbers. If anything, it could be a reason to visit. 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! Dont miss the iconic North Coast 500, a 516-mile drive that takes you through stunning landscapes and charming, quaint European villages. Best time to visit Scottish Highlands 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! Thanks for the great guide! A great way to keep entertained is by waiting for dolphins to arrive. You can watch these amazing dolphins hunting and playing from shore or from well behaved, award winning tour boats the choice is yours. 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. Look for the low tide time in this area and then aim to get to Chanonry point around 1 hour after. 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. Killer whales are part of the Dolphin family and are usually seen in the Summer months mainly during June and July although there is a strong possibility to sight these massive mammals during the month of August. Youll find less-crowded attractions, cheaper accommodations, unique winter wonderland experiences, and surprisingly mild weather. The end of September is when autumn starts in Scotland, but really thanks to the glorious weather it stills feel like summer, although this month is when it starts to cool in temperature with an average temperature of 14C/58F. Best There are some nice facilities here including a cafe, gift shop and toilet and a superb exhibition. However, dolphins can also be spotted during autumn and spring. Call toll free. And cooler temperatures also mercifully drive away the infamous midges and other biting insects that tend to swarm during the warmer months. Ultimate Guide to Dolphin Watching in Inverness Learn about what a Scottish summer is like. Killer whales, on the other hand, can be spotted around Orkney and Shetland islands during the summer. Fish are easy to find here and so its a natural hunting ground for the dolphins. Scotland may be fairly small, but theres no shortage of geographical diversity. While it often gets overshadowed by neighboring countries from a tourism standpoint, Scotland is one place you should have on your bucket list! Here are a few to check out. Do not take this to be fact! However, remember you can spot dolphins all along the Moray Firth Coast and also take a dolphin boat trip. Scotland gets a bit of a bad rap when it comes to weather. More info in our. We were traveling by car as we were on a road trip and initially when we arrived it was disheartening as all the parking spots were taken, but then a couple left and we managed to get a space. It also makes timing your visit a little easier too. Below youll find a break down of the average temps and rainfall in Scotland by month: Psst! 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. This means that you have to get further away from the mainland to see them as theyre more likely to be closer to the open ocean. 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. The best places to see dolphins in Scotland | The Scotsman The best dolphin view point in Scotland! - North Coast 500 Ive watched a photographer ruin his kit as hed not moved it in time! 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. We used Tesco SIM cards which are cheaper than Airalo. Compared to common seals they can appear to be much more sociable among their kind as out of the water they all lay close to one another no doubt discussing the events of the day such as their successes in catching fish! Create your own Harry Potter-themed adventure, exploring several of the locations that inspired the books and movies. THE 10 BEST Scotland Dolphin & Whale Watching Tours (with Different species of dolphin frequent the west coast of Scotland, as well as the Scottish Isles. Another spot is Merkinch Nature reserve which has views over the Moray Firth. In these regions, you can take boat tours to see dolphins swim in the sea. Fort George is directly across the water from Chanonry Point and itself built on another peninsula, so gives another ideal place for viewing dolphins. 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. Add listings to your favourites by clicking the heart icon as you navigate the website. If you dont want to be bothered about parking or are not visiting by car, or dont want to walk far, you can take a Dolphin shuttle bus to Chanonry point. You can manage your cookies via browser settings. you can keep an eye out for dolphins from the ramparts of the fort. 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. 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. If youre hoping to spot dolphins in their natural environment, here are the best places to visit. Business members please sign in here to access your membership benefits. 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. She cannot stay away from historical sites. Winter is also a great time for nighttime walking. They can be found chilling out around sheltered shores relaxing in a curved position or in water they can be located near the mouth of a large river where the tide meets the stream (estuaries). for postcard-worthy scenery, several easy hikes, and charming Victorian towns. They came right up to the side of the boat, I looked one right in the eye, it was looking me up and down, definitely a clever and inquisitive animal, a cut above anything else swimming in the sea. Puffins make great swimmers so expect a multitude of them and other seabirds gracefully riding the waves beside your boat. If you have time to discover more of the country, dont miss these epic places to visit in Scotland. I didnt realize dolphins were so prominent in Scotland. 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. Im going to pack my bags and wait at the border until Im allowed to cross over from England! The North sea area of Scotland is filled with Salmon. Located at the east side of the mouth of the Spey, the WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre is dedicated to whale and dolphin conservation. Its a small natural area on the banks of the Beauly Firth same stretch of water but a different name here! We have already booked the same dates for next year as we want to do all of the Outer Hebrides (we only did Lewis this year.) On the willyweather website, you can enter the region and find the tide times as in the screenshot below. The weather is changeable this time of year, but rarely extreme. What permits do I need? If the conditions are right, Scottish winters are the epitome of winter wonderland. These dolphins are hence the fattest in the world as they have extra fat to help them survive the cold. 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. 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 Really, spring and summer are a good to time to go dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth. The appearance of branching antlers sprouting from their heads is a staggering (sorry, about the pun) sight to behold! READ: Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands. I would recommend getting there early to make sure to get a parking spot, we were so lucky to have gotten the last spot. Chris Thornton is an expert on Scotland and has lived there for over 35 years. Read more about my return journey tackling the infamous Bad Step here! National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. Cuckoos also journey to the rest of the UK when spring arrives, but the majority seem to take residence in Scotland with the Highlands being their favourite part of the country to settle. 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! Islands where you can see dolphins include Isle of Mull and Isle of Skye. Click on one of the links below to find out more: Hiking the remote location of Knoydart during the month of Spring. While those are still nice long days, it gets a little easier to keep a normal sleep schedule without losing out on any exploration time. You should not miss the perfect chance to see the dolphins here One of the Free Scottish Wildlife Experience. Best time for dolphin watching I travel with my husband James and sometimes with our dog Annie. It is thought that the warming of the water around the Hebrides is what is now attracting dolphins to the area. Here's some more info on Scotland's dolphins and particularly those in the Moray Firth colony on the north east coast. There is a legend of the shining one, an entity that walks among the stones during an early mid-summer morning, whose arrival is signalled by the call of a Cuckoo. If youre dying to swim with dolphins in Scotland then this page isnt for you. In fact, nearly 90% of the countrys population resides in the Lowlands. Despite the name, Red deer are actually coloured dark brown with a tint of reddish-orange painted onto their fur so nearly red, but not quite 100%. 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. Here are a few of the very best dolphin spotting locations: Given the popularity of the North Coast 500, it's good there is a great area for spotting dolphins a short distance from the main route. Bottlenose dolphins are larger than common dolphins and mainly grey, with lighter, whiter underbellies. Catch the cherry blossom bloom in Edinburgh and wildflower season across the entire country by simply walking around or driving without a destination! Located in Caithness on the NC500, experience Scottish Gin & Vodka, handcrafted with Highland Botanicals. Keep an eye out for eagles, seals, and puffins. Sturdy, preferably waterproof hiking shoes or boots, The Highlands for unforgettable leaf-peeping in the most dramatic setting, Edinburghs many museums and historical sites have notably fewer crowds in the fall, Eat your way through Glasgow, one of the best cities for traditional Scottish comfort meals, Glencoe National Nature Reserve shows off some of the most stunning Scottish nature, Explore Aberdeenshire for the countless castles and history sans crowds. Oh my I had no idea we could see dolphins in Scotland! We did last 2 weeks in Aug because the kids are back in school then. This is where the River Spey terminates into the North Sea and is a popular feeding ground with dolphins and seals for salmon hunting. During some years when we are really lucky, we experience summer super early and can experience an incredible 21C/70F.
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