WebThe best time to see minke whales in Scotland is from the end of May to September. Rare NC500 Bumblebees need your help, 5 spectacular waterfalls to visit along the NC500. They are similar in size to a dove, but they are coloured blue-grey in appearance and have dark stripes drawn across their tummy. The best dolphin view point in Scotland! - North Coast 500 Harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphins are found in higher densities here, especially around the Inner Hebrides. You cant just rock up along the coast and expect to see troupes of dancing dolphins skipping about offshore. The best place to go on a dolphin watching holiday depends as much on the other activities you want to enjoy as on the dolphins themselves. However you will be a bit further away from the action, but still, you could visit Fort George which is a great day out in itself, and try and view the dolphins from the elevated battlements. Land watching dolphins is a prime activity here. Join us on the mission of hopping the planet! You can drive up through the Highlands of Scotland and take the car ferry over to Orkney. menu. How did I have no idea you can see dolphins in Scotland??? Imagine seeing all of them in one day! 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. You are never guaranteed to see the dolphins, but knowing the best places to see them will greatly increase your chances. Bottlenose dolphins are larger than common dolphins and mainly grey, with lighter, whiter underbellies. Since its the other side of Chanonry Point keep an eye on tide times around low tide and an hour after could be good. I'm afraid your mobile phone won't cut it in this instance, dolphins are quite a difficult subject to capture. No wonder St Kilda is also affectionately known as Puffin Island! I didnt realize dolphins were so prominent in Scotland. Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus. There is nothing more satisfying than the crunching of snow under your boots when out for a wintery walk. There are plenty of sea activities here with multiple ships and yachts sailing by and there were also folks enjoying a kayak here. After waiting for almost two hours, we started to see dolphins appear. I'm Kirsty and I like to share my tips for travelling around some of my favourite places in the world - Scotland, England and a few more besides! I actually saw whales on my boat trip to Loch Coruisk. Chris founded this website to show off the best of Scotland to the rest of the world. Chase the Jacobite train and live your Harry Potter Dream. Lastly, there are plenty of compelling reasons to visit Scotland in the winter. 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. If youre wondering how to see dolphins near Inverness then read on for my tips on where to go and different ways to see them! Similar to common seals they dwell in the Hebridean Islands, the West Coast, Shetland and the Orkney Isles. During spring its still cool, but the shivering coldness of winter fades into distant memory and we can explore the outside world without the need for coordinating a woolly hat, balaclava and glove set although, its best to carry some warm clothing as you never know when the odd cold spell could strike! But keep in mind that there is truly plenty to enjoy year-round in this stunning, welcoming country. 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. WebBest time to watch dolphins in Scotland Scotlands summer sunshine presents the best time to watch dolphins in the wild, with weather conditions during May to September National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Beautiful blue skies on Scotlands west coast. Spring is also fantastic for road-tripping through Scotland. Here are a few to check out. You can see dolphins out during the tidal times as the salmon fish gets caught in tide and dolphins pods come to catch them. Unique winter experiences make it one of the best times to visit Scotland for those who enjoy getting off the beaten path. Best place in the world to see dolphins from the land, so you gotta go again I bet. If you would like to get hold of a map of Inverness, you can download it from the 4umaps. 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. 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. 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. Its a small natural area on the banks of the Beauly Firth same stretch of water but a different name here! Best Wildcats resemble the domesticated household cat in appearance but tend to be fearful of humans and they will keep their distance. I was so fortunate to experience dolphin watching at Chanonry point Inverness during a road trip in 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!) She has been exploring states of India since she was 15 and then around the world since she moved to the west in her 20s. In terms of weather, Scotland never gets either super hot or super cold (with the exception of the Highlands, of course), so most activities are available year-round. Interestingly, and unlike many other destinations, spring is one of Scotlands driest seasons. Watching dolphins in Scotland is a privilege, not a right. I travel with my husband James and sometimes with our dog Annie. com. Summer is also a great time to spot wildlife as different animals appear more frequent in number during the months of summer. If you spot a few deerwhen exploring on an outdoor hiking adventure then take note of how they compare in size to one another. Kind of like when in Rome When in Scotland, drink as the Scots do! 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. From there you can take an overnight car ferry north to Shetland. 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. If you fancy driving to Chanonry Point from Fort George, it will take you 45 minutes via the Kessock Bridge, Inverness. 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! Readers ask: Where To See Orcas In Scotland While she is busy with her full time job as a computer technologist, she is an active explorer during her spare time. Whale Minke whales can be seen every year between May and October. Just make sure youre wrapped up warm and have the appropriate gear for walking in wintery weather low down and higher up. Please click the map to see article indexes from other areas. You can see them jumping in the air, frolicking and being playful they are truly a joy to see! WebAs some dolphins are residents around Scottish shores you can see them all-year-round however, as they prefer the calmer and sunnier sea conditions associated with spring There are a number of superstitions and symbolism linked to the Cuckoo through British history. The best time of day to see dolphins at Chanonry Point near Inverness is when the tide is rising. In fact, May is National Whisky Month in Scotland (whisky is a BIG deal here Scots refer to it as the water of life). Dolphins in Scotland, where to see Moray Firth Dolphins! The best time to see minke whales off the coast of the Isle of Skye is between May and October. Scotland does experience a rainy winter, but again, the temperatures are mild enough that its manageable. WebBest place to see dolphins in Scotland (Dolphin watching) Chanonry point. Some destinations are far more suited than others for family dolphin watching holidays. Where and when to see marine wildlife in Scotland Theres also the Fairy Glen waterfall too to enjoy. Im going to pack my bags and wait at the border until Im allowed to cross over from England! ), the overall weather just might surprise you. Since the 1980s they have been protected by UK law and ever since they have been gradually rising in numbers. 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. ), were all taken by me or James while at Chanonry Point. 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). Built to stop any further Jacobite rebellions, it was never used after the decisive victory at Culloden. Expect to encounter stunning wildlife such as the great Cuckoo, Red Squirrels and the elusive Cairngorm Pine Marten. Though the water is cold here and dolphins usually prefer warm water, they are here for the Scottish Atlantic salmon. In late October, the days start to become noticeably shorter, with 10-13 hours of daily sunlight. Young Cuckoo birds stay in Scotland until Autumn before following their elders to the African continent and settle for Winter before returning to Scotland in springtime. 13th of February 2022, Find out more about Chris on the about page. 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. Indeed, Scotland is more seasonal than many other European destinations, so it pays to consider the best time to visit before your trip. It also makes timing your visit a little easier too. She loves to help people explore her favourite places in Scotland, England and beyond. If you'd like to chat about Dolphin watching or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Thats not all! Best bit you dont have to go on a boat (although you can do that too). 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! 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! You might want to arrive around low tide to give you the best chance of seeing them. Spring is somewhat similar to fall in terms of weather and crowds, making it what some consider the best time to visit Scotland. If you have time to discover more of the country, dont miss these epic places to visit in Scotland. July continues with long days of Scottish daylight in the Highlands, we are blessed with an incredible 16 to 17 hours of light in the summer months where it may be as late as 11 pm before the light starts to dim.