Best time of the day to see dolphins are in the low tide time in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Atlantic Puffins, the smallest of the Puffin family, can be seen around the coasts of Scotland inhabiting high clifftop colonies. Chanonry Point Located between Fortrose and Rosemarkie, south 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. Spring and fall offer the opportunity for a more affordable trip with fewer crowds, but with access to many of the same experiences. I founded Planet Hopper Girl aiming to promote traveling as a lifestyle, the ultimate way to discover yourself and find freedom. There are some nice facilities here including a cafe, gift shop and toilet and a superb exhibition.
Further south, between Moray Firth and Beauly Firth, and just north of Inverness, the shoreline at Kessock Bridge offers excellent dolphin-spotting opportunities. Dolphin & Whale Watching in Scottish Highlands, Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands. 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! Prey is found via their unique echolocation/sonar ability, bouncing sound via clicks and whistles. 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. Its no surprise that the Scottish Dolphin Centre near Fochabers is a great place to see some dolphins. 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! Another spot is Merkinch Nature reserve which has views over the Moray Firth. Sorry, you really cant put a percentage on it. Best known for its stunning natural beauty and rich history, Scotland is a world-renowned travel destination, and yet still somehow a bit mysterious. Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus. However, dolphins can also be spotted during autumn and spring. ), the overall weather just might surprise you. So the best time to visit for you largely depends on what you want to see and do. There are plenty of sea activities here with multiple ships and yachts sailing by and there were also folks enjoying a kayak here. 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. 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READ: Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands. 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. The best time of day to see dolphins at Chanonry Point near Inverness is when the tide is rising. 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. Pine Martens are experts at scaling trees and they tend to shelter in tree holes, so stay on the lookout for any visual clues. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Dolphins and porpoise are here all year round. Gestation is quite long at 12 months and females give birth to a single fully formed calf every 3 to 6 years. Its not freezing rain like youre probably imagining (usually, anyway!). One of the Free Scottish Wildlife Experience. Head out and immerse yourself in Scotlands landscape when it is blanketed in snow and sparkly. You can see dolphins out during the tidal times as the salmon fish gets caught in tide and dolphins pods come to catch them. This annual holiday honors the Patron Saint of Scotland with mega celebrations of all things Scottish. Rare NC500 Bumblebees need your help, 5 spectacular waterfalls to visit along the NC500. And cooler temperatures also mercifully drive away the infamous midges and other biting insects that tend to swarm during the warmer months. You really need a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens between 200-400 mm. Chanonry Point is one of the most popular spots in Inverness to see the dolphins swim from the land. 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!) 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. Its where I always aim to visit and where I think Ive only ever not seen them once (out of the prime season). Hi Julia, thanks for the comment. Chris founded this website to show off the best of Scotland to the rest of the world.
Dolphin 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. Whale. Car parking is ample here, and a great spot for motor homes. You can see Chris's personal photography portfolio on flickr.com/colourjam. Where do you think the best locations for dolphin-spotting are? Hear the lovely crunch of leaves under your feet by exploring our Autumn Highlands hiking adventure. Best Castles near LondonVisiting the D-Day beaches of NormandyDay trips from York1 day in York, EnglandVisiting Stonehenge. 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! 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! Most of the snow falls in northern mountainous areas like the Cairngorms, Glencoe and Torridon. Yeh me neither Hannah, but that was my best discovery as I really enjoyed seeing dolphins from the land in Inverness.
Dolphins, whales & basking sharks in Scotland Unique winter experiences make it one of the best times to visit Scotland for those who enjoy getting off the beaten path. 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. 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! Some stock photography is used. 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. Plus, well share what times of year wed avoid visiting! Check out our hiking wildlife holiday to the Outer Hebrides and St Kilda. Be sure to listen out for the roar of the deer as it sounds remarkably otherworldly should you be in its vicinity youll hear an incredible bellowing sound dominating the hills. The grass on the Moors gradually begins to fade to red and the trees come alive with shades of yellow, red, and orange. Spring is also fantastic for road-tripping through Scotland. Camping enthusiasts are in for a treat this summer, as some of the best campsites in Scotland have been revealed. If the conditions are right, Scottish winters are the epitome of winter wonderland. Below youll find a break down of the average temps and rainfall in Scotland by month: Psst! Im going to pack my bags and wait at the border until Im allowed to cross over from England! Its thought that the Moray Firth bottlenose dolphin population is around 200 making this group the most northerly in the World. From there you can take an overnight car ferry north to Shetland. Ive only passed by Inverness once and that was on the way to Skye, so I had no idea you could see dolphins here! The Pine Marten is an elusive creature but can be found scurrying around the north of Scotland in rich woodland areas. In fact, nearly 90% of the countrys population resides in the Lowlands. Even in the height of summer, it rarely exceeds 80F (27C) in most Scotland cities. Just in the same way that you cant clamber aboard a boat and click your fingers or whistle or whatever. 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. especially if you have time to hang around. Check out ourScotland Travel Homepagefor everything you need to know, or read some of our favorite articles below. National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. I knew they were there, I knew you could see them close, but I still expected them to be a dot in the sea! in order to have the best experience. Watch dolphins from a respectable distance and they will be happy. Catch the cherry blossom bloom in Edinburgh and wildflower season across the entire country by simply walking around or driving without a destination! 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. No, legislation was passed in 1990 which basically outlawed controlled swimming with dolphins in the UK. Broughty Ferry Castle, at the entrance to the Firth of Tay, also gives an elevated perspective for potential observations. On the willyweather website, you can enter the region and find the tide times as in the screenshot below. 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. 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. Watching dolphins in Scotland is a privilege, not a right. Really, spring and summer are a good to time to go dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth. 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. 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! Summer may be the best time to visit Scotland if youre after the warmest months or want to experience one of the many outdoor festivals like The Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. 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. 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! 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. You can watch these amazing dolphins hunting and playing from shore or from well behaved, award winning tour boats the choice is yours. Vow, the excitement was real and almost felt like seeing the whales when they were far away, but as promised they came really close to the land in their pods. Spring is somewhat similar to fall in terms of weather and crowds, making it what some consider the best time to visit Scotland. You might want to arrive around low tide to give you the best chance of seeing them. Some trails are manageable in the wintertime, some are best in the summer. 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. 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. Divers can see them while scuba divingin many of Scotland's coastal areas, but it is rare. In summer you can spot minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, Rissos dolphins, and short-beaked common dolphins. 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. Scotlands winter wildlife How to See Them. Psst!
Best Time It is true when people say that there can be many seasons in one Scottish day but that should not be taken as a negative as there are moments where you could confuse a Scottish spring day as the middle of summer with the sun shining all across the land. You could try swimming with wild dolphins at your own risk, but if they had young they might not like your presence amongst them. 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. Winter is still a good time for some low level walking in the Highlands. Here is a simple video we compiled with all our footage. All Rights Reserved. We use cookies on our website, by using the site your are consenting to essential cookies. He has travelled all over Scotland and experienced all it has to offer. Anstruther, Fifes coastal community, has experienced a rise in dolphin sightings around the Firth of Forth. ]]> 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. Youll find small shops with local food, restaurants and cafes. She cannot stay away from historical sites. Published 26th Apr 2023, 13:02 BST. 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. Ardnamurchan Point, Mull, and Red Point, south of Gairloch often have white-beaked and Rissos dolphins in their waters. WebChanonry Point is a popular tourist spot outside of Inverness. It is thought that the warming of the water around the Hebrides is what is now attracting dolphins to the area. 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. Located in Caithness on the NC500, experience Scottish Gin & Vodka, handcrafted with Highland Botanicals. Its a small natural area on the banks of the Beauly Firth same stretch of water but a different name here!
Bottlenose dolphin If you spot a few deerwhen exploring on an outdoor hiking adventure then take note of how they compare in size to one another. For a detailed look on how best to spot Killer Whales check out this article, Wilderness Walking The Knoydart Peninsula, Wilderness Walking England Coast to Coast, Wilderness Walking Arran: Scotland in Miniature, Wilderness Walking National Parks of the UK, Wilderness Walking The Coast of Cornwall, Wilderness Walking Northumberland and TheLakeDistrict, Wilderness Walking High Points of the Lake District, Wilderness Walking High Points of the OuterHebrides, Wilderness Walking Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra & Mingulay, Wilderness Walking Glencoe and the Highlands, Wilderness Walking Cairngorms National Park & Royal Deeside, Wilderness Walking Autumn in Perthshire, Wilderness Walking Outer Hebrides and Skye, Road Cycling TheNorthCoast500: Highlights, Wildlife Adventures Autumn Wildlife Islay, Wildlife Adventures The Scottish Highlands, Wildlife Adventures Mull, Staffa & Iona, Wildlife Adventures A Rewilding Journey in the Cairngorms, Wildlife Adventures Outer Hebrides & St Kilda, Photography Skye and the West Highlands, Sailing and Walking Knoydart, Skye and TheSmallIsles, Self Catering Family Adventure Outer Hebrides, The Great Family Adventure Treasure Highlands, Self Guided + Cycling Skye and the Inner Hebrides, Self Guided+ Cycling The Outer Hebrides, Self Drive Collection Highland Perthshire, Self Drive Collection Ben Nevis & The West, Self Drive Winter Highland Explorations, Self-Drive Winter Highland CosyCairngorms, Low Carbon Adventure Scottish Highlands, Road Cycling TheNorthCoast500: Classic, Guided In The Footsteps of RabbieBurns, Guided Scottish Highlands Multi-Activity Adventure, Multi-Location;Outer Hebrides and St Kilda, Learn more about the great Cuckoo from Wilderness Expert Jonathan Willet, Top 8 Reasons to travel to Scotland in Spring, 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Scotland in April, Top 5 Reasons to Visit Scotland in Autumn. 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). Weve stayed at the campsite there which has sea great views, but there are also hotels and guest houses in the village. 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. On duller days try F4 or faster if your lens will allow, 1/250 and ISO400. 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! September might be too wet for long-distance treks, but October is drier, and stunning with fall foliage. 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. While you very well may experience all four seasons in the span of just a few hours (packing layers is key! 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! 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. Learn about what a Scottish summer is like. Puffins make great swimmers so expect a multitude of them and other seabirds gracefully riding the waves beside your boat. 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. 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. 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 A. 2023 North Coast 500 | Company Number: SC504749 | All Rights Reserved | Design by. I would recommend getting there early to make sure to get a parking spot, we were so lucky to have gotten the last spot. If youd prefer to scan the crest of an Atlantic wave patiently from a headland in Shetland or join a responsible small ship safari around the Hebrides then welcome.