We did a circle tour in a rented car (Arnold Clark) and used Airbnb. Yes you should be able to theres the beach to walk along and its dog friendly as well as a footpath. I recommend the land experience if you dont want to spend money on a boat tour. 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. What time of year is best to see whales in Scotland? best Sea Life Surveys 385 Boat Keep an eye out for eagles, seals, and puffins. I founded Planet Hopper Girl aiming to promote traveling as a lifestyle, the ultimate way to discover yourself and find freedom. From there you can take an overnight car ferry north to Shetland. The Pine Marten is an elusive creature but can be found scurrying around the north of Scotland in rich woodland areas. I didnt imagine Id be able to see them so close that I could look them in the eye! you can keep an eye out for dolphins from the ramparts of the fort. Watch dolphins from a respectable distance and they will be happy. This vast area, including the islands off the northern coast, encompasses about half of Scotlands total land mass. National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. Ive only passed by Inverness once and that was on the way to Skye, so I had no idea you could see dolphins here! Plus, well share what times of year wed avoid visiting! This means that if you buy or book after clicking, I may get a commission. 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. And dont forget to pick up a guide book! Spring weather is mild, but the days are lengthening and consistently drier. There are around 200 Bottlenose dolphins that live all year in the chilly waters of the Moray Firth and around the East Coast of Scotland and half this population are seen regularly along the Black Isle coastline, especially in the spring and summer months. A. Youll find less-crowded attractions, cheaper accommodations, unique winter wonderland experiences, and surprisingly mild weather. 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. Dolphins Scotland is the birthplace of golf, so experience the sport in its true element by playing a round of golf at one of the countrys 550+ courses! You can watch these amazing dolphins hunting and playing from shore or from well behaved, award winning tour boats the choice is yours. Ardnamurchan Point, Mull, and Red Point, south of Gairloch often have white-beaked and Rissos dolphins in their waters. Jump down to see our personal advice for the best time to visit Scotland. This below ship when emerged which reminded me of many stories including the Norwegian Vikings, Copenhagen, Portugal, and even India. Psst! National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. Summer is definitely the high season in Scotland. The best places to see dolphins in Scotland | The Scotsman It also makes timing your visit a little easier too. 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. Published 26th Apr 2023, 13:02 BST. The weather changes rapidly over the course of spring in Scotland. 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. Whale Watching UK | Where to see Whales & Dolphins in the The sea around the Black Isle is nowadays world famous for its dolphin spotting possibilities yes, you heard right dolphins! As the temperatures drop, the fall foliage begins to put on an impressive show, creating a photographers paradise especially in the Highlands. They can be seen throughout the year, although they may be more visible in the spring and summer when the sea is calm. Privacy Policy | Mailing List | Sitemap | Contact Us, Written by Chris Thornton | To increase your chances of a sighting, the best time to visit is between May and September, although A great way to keep entertained is by waiting for dolphins to arrive. 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. However no boat tour can guarantee that you will see the dolphins, and at around 150 for a family of four, it's quite expensive if you don't get to see what you want. I once was invited to go out on the Moray Firth in a small catamaran, we encountered seals, a basking shark and dolphins! Clicking on the link below will redirect you to the Wilderness England website. Although it is possible to see them from most headlands, many sightings are reported from Neist Point. Theres also the Fairy Glen waterfall too to enjoy. Learn about the actual weather of Scotland, discover stunning wildlife that lives in the hills and blue seas, appreciate the changing colours of the seasons, feel the beauty of our beaches and enjoy incredible landscapes all in this handy hiking guide where you can learn just when is the best time to hike in Scotland, for yourself. There is something immensely heartening about watching a vast animal protrude from the surface of the water before disappearing back into the blue. Winter in Scotland is the low season for tourism, but dont let that dissuade you from visiting. Dolphins, whales & basking sharks in Scotland Even in the height of summer, it rarely exceeds 80F (27C) in most Scotland cities. Just when is the best time to hike in Scotland? 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. The central Lowlands are home to both fertile farmland and almost all of Scotlands larger cities. Charlie and his wife Susan also own an art studio and gift shop in the village of North Kessock. 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. 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. They are always found in groups called dolphin pods and are renowned for being playful. 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! 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. 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. They are wild animals and probably wouldn't take kindly to human interference. If you manage to catch them at these feeding grounds you are in for a treat and many photo opportunities. Visitors please sign in here to access your membership benefits. Because we also have individual travel guides for more specific wildlife holidays, such as our safaris, bear watching and whale watching. 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. Look for the low tide time in this area and then aim to get to Chanonry point around 1 hour after. Our dolphin watching holiday companies have shared their top dolphin watching advice to help you plan your trip. Go wildlife watching in Scotland without tying yourself to just spotting dolphins. Scotland gets a bit of a bad rap when it comes to weather. Divers can see them while scuba divingin many of Scotland's coastal areas, but it is rare. The car park at Chanonry Point is often very busy if you can't get a space try parking in one of the nearby villages and walking over. 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. The village of North Kessock lies just north of Inverness, over the Kessock bridge. Toggle navigation. The best time to visit here for seeing dolphins is around an hour after low tide. But keep in mind that there is truly plenty to enjoy year-round in this stunning, welcoming country. Killer whales (or Orcas) have a very distinctive black and white appearance and are very large creatures in fact, they are the largest member of the Dolphin family. Similar to Killer whales Summer is an amazing time to look for Minke Whales, although, Spring is can also be a good time to see them but chances of a sighting lessen slightly. Most dolphin watching holidays will also include plenty of time in between boat trips, so here are some of our top activities you can enjoy when not looking out for these marine mammals. Scotland is one of the best places in the world to see dolphins, especially from the land. The best time of day to see dolphins at Chanonry Point near Inverness is when the tide is rising. The best time of day to see dolphins at Chanonry Point near Inverness is when the tide is rising. Catch some very traditional (and very unique!) On duller days try F4 or faster if your lens will allow, 1/250 and ISO400. Beautiful blue skies on Scotlands west coast. You should not miss the perfect chance to see the dolphins here One of the Free Scottish Wildlife Experience. 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! Scotland can be divided into three distinct regions: the northern Highlands, the southern Uplands, and the central Lowlands. Bottlenose dolphins are larger than common dolphins and mainly grey, with lighter, whiter underbellies. Dolphin. Breeding occurs mostly in spring and relationships are polygamous. 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. 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! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Ive watched a photographer ruin his kit as hed not moved it in time! In summer you can spot minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, Rissos dolphins, and short-beaked common dolphins. The dolphins dont know that the lookout is gone though and you can still see them from the shores of North Kessock. The downside of Chanonry Point is that as its so popular the car park can become very busy, especially in the summer months. Your email address will not be published. And you can see all that just from the land in some of these spots. 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 in Scotland apparently a hidden gem in Scotland indeed. Best 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. 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! After waiting for almost two hours, we started to see dolphins appear. 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. More info in our. How to see dolphins near Inverness in Scotland: plus when the The truth is we can have a feast of sunshine during our Summer months of June, July and August. Located east of Harris in the Outer Hebrides the Shaint Isles over time has been given various nicknames such as mini St Kilda or little St Kilda, so you know by that naming convention to expect to see a flurry of seabirds populate the area. Thanks for the great guide! Lastly, there are plenty of compelling reasons to visit Scotland in the winter. Head out and immerse yourself in Scotlands landscape when it is blanketed in snow and sparkly. 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. 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. 1 hour after low tide is a good reference point to aim for. Tessa from our Travel Team spent five hours watching a pod of orcas swimming around the coastline of Shetland in July. There are no guarantees. Short-beaked common dolphins can be identified by a figure of eight on their flanks formed through distinctive yellow and white flashes around their dorsal fins. Many seasonal businesses that close for winter reopen in late March or early April, which coincides perfectly with the days starting to get longer. Minke whales I suggest heading into the village and parking up looking over the water. Thanks, Your email address will not be published. Check out ourScotland Travel Homepagefor everything you need to know, or read some of our favorite articles below. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Honestly, Id say it was the best place for seeing dolphins you can see them without disturbing them and quite often too. 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. 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. The landscape is buzzing with life and colour, with flowers blooming and bustling wildlife. Who knows, maybe youll be lucky enough to spot the real-life Nessie! 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. She loves to help people explore her favourite places in Scotland, England and beyond. The weather was really bad and windy, and I still curse myself for not taking an action camera with me as getting stable footage was nearly impossible. They also dont necessarily need good weather. Sign up for the mailing list and receive this free travel itinerary. The joy of watching dolphins swim in their natural habitat so close to you is an unbeatable experience not to miss in Scotland. Bottlenose dolphins are perhaps the best-known of the cetaceans found around Scotland. We were there last 2 weeks of Aug, first two weeks of Sept this year. 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. Finally, and closer to the city of Inverness and walkable is Merkinch Local Nature Reserve. Its possible to spot dolphins all along the east coast, particularly in the Cromarty and Moray Firths. Top Tip: Go early to secure a parking spot, this is a free experience in demand. If youre dying to swim with dolphins in Scotland then this page isnt for you. 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. 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. in the major cities without any crowds, Layers, particularly wool base layers, to help regulate your temperature, Warm, waterproof boots (the taller the better!) 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. Their boats will take you out in search of dolphins, otters, seabirds and they even occasionally catch a glimpse of a whale too! She cannot stay away from historical sites. The Scottish Highlands are truly wild; its one of the least densely populated areas in all of Europe! 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. Land watching dolphins is a prime activity here. Oh my I had no idea we could see dolphins in Scotland! Best Time to Visit Scotland: When to Go & When to Avoid! Where do you think the best locations for dolphin-spotting are? Grey seals can be identified by their larger size than common seals and are normally grey coloured with darker spots. You will need to pay an entrance fee for the Fort George site its a Historic Scotland site so free for members. Spring is an excellent time to spot Red Squirrels in Scotland. Take a hike! Learn more. 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! An ideal destination for nature lovers, history buffs, fans of amazing architecture, whiskey enthusiasts and foodies alike, there are many, many reasons to visit Scotland. 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. Summer Solstice takes place inJune and marks the longest day of the year and many people in England celebrate at the famous Stonehenge monument, but in Scotland, we have a few standing stone monuments where you can celebrate the longest day in the amazing Scottish wilderness without the crowds at places such as the Standing Stones of Callanish in the Outer Hebrides, the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney or the three standing stones in Kilmartin Glen. during the fall, particularly in October and November, but that also means the many amazing waterfalls are at their peak flow. Hike to some waterfalls and enjoy the fall foliage. Its not as easy to figure out the best times here but its a pleasant day out in any case. The grass on the Moors gradually begins to fade to red and the trees come alive with shades of yellow, red, and orange. Its also a time when an array of beautiful spring flowers begin to bloom. The activity map is also available. Thats not all! 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. By now the leaves on the trees have turned into a lovely golden brown and Pine forests look spectacular in the distance providing an incredibly unique view. The best places to spot these impressive mammals in Scotland is around the Inner Hebrides and Skye. Choose an area to see article indexes from other parts of Scotland. 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. 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. Summer is also a period where our multitude of brightly coloured flowers flourish in the warmth. Below youll find a break down of the average temps and rainfall in Scotland by month: Psst! 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! This is a good way to support the local communities too. Neil has enjoyed a stint in city life but that flirtation soon ended and he's returned to the Highlands of Scotland for the peace, tranquility and closeness to nature that he loves., Ross Keddie | More By This Author Published: Apr 12, 2023, Ross Keddie | More By This Author Published: Apr 05, 2023, Meike Burgess | More By This Author Published: Mar 31, 2023.
best time to see dolphins in scotland