best time to see dolphins in scotland

You might want to arrive around low tide to give you the best chance of seeing them. 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. 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.. 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. Its also a time when an array of beautiful spring flowers begin to bloom. 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". Out of all the top places listed above, the locations near Inverness are where you can see the dolphins swimming from the land. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Some of the popular Dolphin species to see in Scotland include: Bottlenose dolphins are the most popular native wild animals to see in Scotland, these are almost 5 meters in length and are grey in color. 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! This is where the River Spey terminates into the North Sea and is a popular feeding ground with dolphins and seals for salmon hunting. But keep in mind that there is truly plenty to enjoy year-round in this stunning, welcoming country. There is also a high chance that they will make an appearance during May at the end of Spring, but Summer is really the best time to sight them. Ultimate Fall Foliage Road Trip in Vermont: A Complete Itinerary, An EPIC Arizona to California Road Trip Itinerary, Spring Road Trip in Netherlands: Giethoorn & Flevoland Tulip Fields, 100 Best Road Trip Quotes: Funny, Thought Provoking and Inspiring, An Epic Las Vegas to Hoover Dam Road Trip: Lake Mead + Boulder City, The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: Things to Bring on a Road Trip Check List, Winter Bucket List for Travellers: 20 Fun Outdoor Activities in Winter, Ultimate Guide to Dolphin Watching in Inverness Scotland (Chanonry Point), The ULTIMATE Guide to Chasing Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, 13 Top Spring Break Destinations Around the World: Spring Bucket List for Travellers, Cromarty Firth- watch from the Cromarty bridge. This is a good way to support the local communities too. The Pine Marten is an elusive creature but can be found scurrying around the north of Scotland in rich woodland areas. 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. Check out ourScotland Travel Homepagefor everything you need to know, or read some of our favorite articles below. Best time for dolphin watching I founded Planet Hopper Girl aiming to promote traveling as a lifestyle, the ultimate way to discover yourself and find freedom. Chris Thornton is an expert on Scotland and has lived there for over 35 years. Dolphins in Scotland, where to see Moray Firth Dolphins! 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! that will keep your feet warm in the snow, Heavy-duty cold-weather gear for cold fronts, such as a coat, wool socks, scarf, beanie, and winter gloves, Packable emergency thermal blankets, just in case you run into inclement weather and get stuck somewhere while youre out and about, The city of Inverness, where the North Coast 500 begins, Enjoy some unreal wildlife in the Shetland Isles, Glasgow and Edinburgh have notably smaller crowds than during the peak months, Experience the wonder of the cherry blossom bloom in Edinburgh, The north coast Scottish isles, where you can experience dolphin- and whale-watching. Breeding occurs mostly in spring and relationships are polygamous. Why not sign up to the new forum? National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. 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! It is best to check the tide time of the day you are visiting to increase your chances of seeing the dolphins. From there you can take an overnight car ferry north to Shetland. The North sea area of Scotland is filled with Salmon. Hike to some waterfalls and enjoy the fall foliage. Another tale involves the ancient standing stone monument at Callanish located on the Isle of Lewis know as the Standing Stones of Callanish. December is usually the mildest month, with average temperatures of around 4C/39F. Summer is also a great time to spot wildlife as different animals appear more frequent in number during the months of summer. And dont forget to pick up a guide book! In the springtime they tend to have 3 5 litters of young and come summer they are completely independent. 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. However, dolphins can also be spotted during autumn and spring. 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. However, dolphins can also be spotted during autumn and spring. The weather is changeable this time of year, but rarely extreme. While it often gets overshadowed by neighboring countries from a tourism standpoint, Scotland is one place you should have on your bucket list! Built to stop any further Jacobite rebellions, it was never used after the decisive victory at Culloden. Whale Watching UK | Where to see Whales & Dolphins in the In summer you can spot minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, Rissos dolphins, and short-beaked common dolphins. Daylight hours are short in Scotland during winter, with just 7-8 hours of daily sunlight. Its not freezing rain like youre probably imagining (usually, anyway!). Beautiful blue skies on Scotlands west coast. Really, spring and summer are a good to time to go dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth. Eilean Dhubh or the Black Isle as its known is technically not an island as such, but certainly feels like one with an almost Scotland in Miniature thing going on from sandy beaches to high craggy cliffs, thick forest, wide open farmland and wildlifelots of wildlife if you know where to look. 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! The Scottish Highlands are truly wild; its one of the least densely populated areas in all of Europe! Hear the lovely crunch of leaves under your feet by exploring our Autumn Highlands hiking adventure. During what season did you visit and what was your experience like? Spring and fall, Scotlands shoulder seasons, both have moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. You might like to arrive early or do what we do which is park in Rosemarkie, visit the village shops and walk along the beach to the point. Whale Minke whales can be seen every year between May and October. 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. To increase your chances of a sighting, the best time to visit is between May and September, although Common seals can be spotted throughout the year, but they tend to be busy pupping during the summertime so the Spring months of April, March and May are probably your best bet to spot these adorable sea creatures. Salmon start to migrate to the Moray coast in spring and this continues into the summer, which attracts the Dolphins looking to feed. Since its the other side of Chanonry Point keep an eye on tide times around low tide and an hour after could be good. We have lots of resources on travel in Scotland and destinations throughout the country. Yeh me neither Hannah, but that was my best discovery as I really enjoyed seeing dolphins from the land in Inverness. Privacy Policy | Mailing List | Sitemap | Contact Us, Written by Chris Thornton | Honestly, Id say it was the best place for seeing dolphins you can see them without disturbing them and quite often too. 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. 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. Questions about Scotland? Scotland Camping: Essential Tips + Best Campsites. Winter in Scotland is the low season for tourism, but dont let that dissuade you from visiting. com. It is something that has been on my bucket list forever! in the summer and often doesnt set until 11:00 p.m. Keep in mind these long, warmer days also coincide with one of the countrys wettest seasons it may be warm and sunny, but also pouring rain! Scotland has native dolphins in the North sea and now you know it is easy to watch them for free too. Dolphins in Scotland apparently a hidden gem in Scotland indeed. As well as bottlenose dolphins, you may well catch sight of ospreys, grey and common seals, the occasional otter and many coastal birds here. 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. 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. The dolphins come to this point as its where the firth meets the sea and theres a natural bottleneck. Youll find less-crowded attractions, cheaper accommodations, unique winter wonderland experiences, and surprisingly mild weather. Best During Autumn the Scottish climate begins to cool, the days shorten, and the leaves turn into a lovely golden brown colour. May to September. They are wild animals and probably wouldn't take kindly to human interference. While it does rain often (theres a reason its so green! As the temperatures drop, the fall foliage begins to put on an impressive show, creating a photographers paradise especially in the Highlands. 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. Chanonry Point is a great place to hang out in Scotland with lots of water sports activities ongoing and a stunning lighthouse. READ: Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands. and more of the coast between Inverness and Aberdeen. 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! Thinking about your answers to these questions is going to help you start to determine when to visit Scotland. Scotland gets a bit of a bad rap when it comes to weather. Expect to encounter stunning wildlife such as the great Cuckoo, Red Squirrels and the elusive Cairngorm Pine Marten. Where is the best place to see dolphins in the Moray Firth? Just when is the best time to hike in Scotland? She loves to help people explore her favourite places in Scotland, England and beyond. Galloway Forest Park for top-notch stargazing and hopefully, the Northern Lights! Try F6-8, 1/500, ISO100 on a well lit day and alter your settings from there. museums, Scotlands largest city, Glasgow, for family-friendly attractions, the impressive botanical garden, and the countrys best shopping, Cairngorms National Park, home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Scotland, Road-trip to Highland Perthshire (one of the most underrated areas of Scotland!) Rab,Driver of P300NJB @Grampian Continental.. 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. Unofficially, the majority of the month is really a cooler summer than full autumn it is a transition period of the weather changing from summer to autumn. Bottlenose dolphins are perhaps the best-known of the cetaceans found around Scotland. Whales, Dolphins and Seals The highland hills and moors are especially atmospheric in winter, and the low sun makes for spectacular light across the day. Harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphins are found in higher densities here, especially around the Inner Hebrides. Located in Caithness on the NC500, experience Scottish Gin & Vodka, handcrafted with Highland Botanicals. 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). Spring and fall offer the opportunity for a more affordable trip with fewer crowds, but with access to many of the same experiences. There are no guarantees. No wonder St Kilda is also affectionately known as Puffin Island! 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! The most exciting sight is to see the dolphins throw the fish in the water. We were there last 2 weeks of Aug, first two weeks of Sept this year. Create your own Harry Potter-themed adventure, exploring several of the locations that inspired the books and movies. Dolphins can be seen from the Scotland mainland as well as by taking boat tours both in Moray Firth and in the islands of Scotland. If youre hoping to spot dolphins in their natural environment, here are the best places to visit. Required fields are marked *. Sea life fans staying on Lewis, Harris, North or South Uist, Eriskay, Berneray, Barra and Vatersay can take boat trips to spot marine mammals. If anything, it could be a reason to visit. Land watching dolphins is a prime activity here. 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. You can manage your cookies via browser settings. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a7b89d31be7b40aaf2080cbd04a1868b" );document.getElementById("f2220b332c").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here are some dolphin spotting boat trips near Inverness to check out: Check flights: SkyscannerBook Car Rental: DiscoverCarsBook hotels: Booking.comBook Vacation Rentals: VRBO.com. She cannot stay away from historical sites. You can see dolphins in Namibias Walvis Bay pretty much all year round, Dolphin watching in Scotland takes time, patience, and an awful lot of luck and local knowhow. Fort George is an 18th-century fortress near Ardersier and Inverness. 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. 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. I was so fortunate to experience dolphin watching at Chanonry point Inverness during a road trip in Scotland. Theres also a cafe to get some food while youre watching. 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. All of these businesses are accredited with the "Dolphin Space Programme" which sounds very fancy and futuristic, but all it means is giving the dolphins more space and minimising disturbances to their lives. Dolphins are very intelligent and playful creatures they are always fascinating and engaging to watch! They can be seen throughout the year, although they may be more visible in the spring and summer when the sea is calm. The Isle of Mull gives the opportunity to see Risso's dolphins, which is amazing as they normally don't come this far to land and prefer deeper water. Moving further along the cost to the Bay of Nigg also offers spectacular views of the dolphins as well as a sea unspoilt by the bustle of the harbour. Yes you should be able to theres the beach to walk along and its dog friendly as well as a footpath. 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. Explore Scotlands more than 1,500 castles. 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. The activity map is also available. 1-866-821-6866 . Gestation is quite long at 12 months and females give birth to a single fully formed calf every 3 to 6 years. best time to visit Scotland Dolphin watching in Scotland takes time, patience, and an awful lot of luck and local knowhow. 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. Hi Julia, thanks for the comment. The Cuckoo migrates to Scotland in April and this signals the beginning of the Spring season. Hi Kirsty is it possible to walk our dog all the way from Rosemarkie to Chanonry point? 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. 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!) During August and the last (official) month of summer the hours in the day lessen, but we still bask in 15 16 hours of daylight, so there is still plenty of light to savour whilst hiking the stunning landscapes of Scotland. 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. Mostly we are the bottlenose dolphin pods are seen most of the year round! during the fall, particularly in October and November, but that also means the many amazing waterfalls are at their peak flow. 2023 North Coast 500 | Company Number: SC504749 | All Rights Reserved | Design by. No, legislation was passed in 1990 which basically outlawed controlled swimming with dolphins in the UK. Chanonry Point is located between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle and has its own car park. 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. Visitors please sign in here to access your membership benefits. Bottlenose dolphins are larger than common dolphins and mainly grey, with lighter, whiter underbellies. For those who cannot drive, here are some of the top guided tours in this area: Jumana is a travel writer and technologist living in the United Kingdom, born and brought up in India. It is not only very budget-friendly but purely an extraordinary experience. A young wildcat in the Highland Wildlife Park. On duller days try F4 or faster if your lens will allow, 1/250 and ISO400. Since its so close to Inverness its good if you dont have your own transport. We used Tesco SIM cards which are cheaper than Airalo. The Comment below and let us know! Duchess of Buccleuch dies after short illness following operation, family says, Italy's 'land without animals' reveals something sinister behind its famously passionate relationship with food Philip Lymbery. While you very well may experience all four seasons in the span of just a few hours (packing layers is key! This site contains affiliate links and as such any purchases or bookings made after clicking may earn me a commission. Sightings Unique winter experiences make it one of the best times to visit Scotland for those who enjoy getting off the beaten path. Hope you go see them one day. 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. Further onto the Black Isle, coming off the A9 trunk road at the B9161 Munlochy road then onto the A832 you come through the towns of Avoch and then Fortrose, Fortrose has a mile long peninsula jutting out into the sea from the town itself called Chanonry Point, and from the beach in front of the Lighthouse you can often see the local dolphins hunting salmon a few metres away in the fast, deep and turbulent water around the very tip of the Point on a rising or flooding tide its amazing. Join us on the mission of hopping the planet! 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! 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. WebHonest, easy to read advice on the best time to watch dolphins and what species to see at different times of year. Dolphins In the event of a zombie apocalypse, Fort George would be ideal, keep that in mind just in case. There is no absolute perfect time to travel to our beautiful country as it really depends on what you, as an individual, want out of your holiday. One of the biggest, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, takes place in October, but there are many other niche festivals as well. You will need to pay an entrance fee for the Fort George site its a Historic Scotland site so free for members. Jump down to see our personal advice for the best time to visit Scotland. 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 Travellers enjoying a lovely summers day hiking in the mountainous Assynt. Its not as easy to figure out the best times here but its a pleasant day out in any case. 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. 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. Weve stayed at the campsite there which has sea great views, but there are also hotels and guest houses in the village. Though the water is cold here and dolphins usually prefer warm water, they are here for the Scottish Atlantic salmon. Witness some of Scotlands most exciting wildlife spectacles and taste flavours unique to our autumn months. Thanks, Your email address will not be published. Her favourite travel style is On the Road and she has perfected the art of road trip planning, covering multiple famous and undiscovered routes around Europe, UK and USA. Plus, well share what times of year wed avoid visiting! However just being out on a boat is an adventure in itself, and you will nearly always see the seals as a consolation prize. The activity map is also available. Crunchy snow underneath your boots, sparkly fields, and the most beautiful night skies. menu. If you have time to discover more of the country, dont miss these epic places to visit in Scotland. You can expect a mix of clear blue skies and cloudy grey days during winter in Scotland, with occasional rain, snow and ice. If you are looking for a hiking adventure with a difference then visiting Scotland in autumn is truly otherworldly. 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. Want to know more about us? A Minke Whale decides to swim alongside a group as if it thought the boat was part of its pod. In the Azores, pods tend to be largest in these months, and you may also see a few cute calves. In our opinion, the best time to visit Scotland is during the spring or fall, with a few exceptions. And you can see all that just from the land in some of these spots. Chase the Jacobite train and live your Harry Potter Dream. Published 26th Apr 2023, 13:02 BST. Visiting Scotland in April you will be welcomed with lovely colours of green leaves as the trees are now in bud. If seeing dolphins is on your bucket list, why not stay a few days in Fortrose or Rosemarkie and head down to Chanonry Point at the correct tide time, what a lovely walk that would be. 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. WebVisit the Black Isle, just across the Moray Firth from Inverness, to experience one of the best places in Europe to shore watch dolphins. My kids are grown now but do come along sometimes! 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. It is thought that the warming of the water around the Hebrides is what is now attracting dolphins to the area. Be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers. Chris founded this website to show off the best of Scotland to the rest of the world. Scotland may be fairly small, but theres no shortage of geographical diversity.

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