And dont forget to pick up a guide book! The village of North Kessock lies just north of Inverness, over the Kessock bridge. Scotland is one of the best places in the world to see dolphins, especially from the land. 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. The weather is changeable this time of year, but rarely extreme. Explore Scotlands more than 1,500 castles. We did last 2 weeks in Aug because the kids are back in school then. Dont miss the iconic North Coast 500, a 516-mile drive that takes you through stunning landscapes and charming, quaint European villages. 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!) But keep in mind that there is truly plenty to enjoy year-round in this stunning, welcoming country. Do not take this to be fact! However just being out on a boat is an adventure in itself, and you will nearly always see the seals as a consolation prize. If youre in Inverness on your way to or from the Black Isle, get in touch with Dolphin Spirit. 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. Catch some very traditional (and very unique!) Scotlands winter wildlife How to See Them. Grey seals can be identified by their larger size than common seals and are normally grey coloured with darker spots. What time of year is best to see whales in Scotland? What permits do I need? Chris founded this website to show off the best of Scotland to the rest of the world. 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. Pine Martins, historically were spread throughout the UK, but unfortunately due to deforestation in the 19th and 20th centuries, they faced near extinction. Sea life fans staying on Lewis, Harris, North or South Uist, Eriskay, Berneray, Barra and Vatersay can take boat trips to spot marine mammals. Whether you witness the sight of just a fin or a full breach, there are many locations throughout Scotland to see any one of the estimated 300 or so dolphins that call the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean home. This wildlife travel guide is meant to be like a trailer for the new Attenborough series. Rare NC500 Bumblebees need your help, 5 spectacular waterfalls to visit along the NC500. 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. Pine Martens are experts at scaling trees and they tend to shelter in tree holes, so stay on the lookout for any visual clues. 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. Aberdeens harbour entrance not only welcomes the vast ships that endlessly travel between the Granite City and the North Seas oil rigs, but plays hosts to bottlenose dolphins particularly in the winter months. Head out and immerse yourself in Scotlands landscape when it is blanketed in snow and sparkly. Thats not all! Create your own Harry Potter-themed adventure, exploring several of the locations that inspired the books and movies. 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. Keep an eye out for eagles, seals, and puffins. Dolphin & Whale Watching in Scottish Highlands, Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands. 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. There are some nice facilities here including a cafe, gift shop and toilet and a superb exhibition. When summer comes around its time to celebrate the longer days and the sunnier months by replacing your spring clothing with thinner layers to deal with the hotter weather although if you plan to hike the hills of Scotland always pack for different seasons and keep warmer clothes in your backpack as there is always the possibility of a change in weather especially if you find yourself climbing high peaks. UK: +44 (0)1479 420 020 US: 1-866-740-3890 [emailprotected], Wilderness Scotland Dalfaber Drive Aviemore Highland Scotland PH22 1ST, 2022 Wilderness Group Ltd | Registered in Scotland SC211011, Cookies & Privacy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Site Credits. There used to be a Dolphin and Seal centre and lookout near the bridge which was run by the WDC but unfortunately thats closed now. An adorable Red squirrel enjoying a nice rest in the Cairngorms National Park. Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Experts agree that the more responsible dolphin watching is, the more enjoyable it Is. In the Azores, pods tend to be largest in these months, and you may also see a few cute calves. 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. When is the Best Time to Hike in Scotland? It is a great idea to grab a bite here by the sea. All our trips support communities and preserve nature - which helps you get closer to both. Celebrate St. Andrews Day with the locals. May to September. It is perfect for families to take kids and pets here and they can play at the beach, watch the sea and ships while waiting for the dolphins. A Minke Whale decides to swim alongside a group as if it thought the boat was part of its pod. Galloway Forest Park for top-notch stargazing and hopefully, the Northern Lights! Tell us in the comments section. 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. Two Wandering Soles Copyright 2023. Youll find small shops with local food, restaurants and cafes. Spring is also fantastic for road-tripping through Scotland. So the best time to visit for you largely depends on what you want to see and do. Really, spring and summer are a good to time to go dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth. Fewer travellers mean fewer people on the trails and in the hills, providing an even more remote experience of the glorious scenic landscapes. Enter your email address below and we will send you all of our latest news, events and offers straight to your inbox. 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. We caught up with Charlie Phillips A professional wildlife photographer, and a Whale and Dolphin Conservation Field Officer (he studies dolphins for a living!). As the temperatures drop, the fall foliage begins to put on an impressive show, creating a photographers paradise especially in the Highlands. This means that if you buy or book after clicking, I may get a commission. 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!) 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. 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.. One of the biggest, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, takes place in October, but there are many other niche festivals as well. 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. Check out our hiking wildlife holiday to the Outer Hebrides and St Kilda. Summer is also a great time to spot wildlife as different animals appear more frequent in number during the months of summer. menu. Find out more about Chris on the about page. Temperatures average in the upper 60s and low 70s (19-23C) during the summer months throughout most of the country, with the exception of the Highlands and other high-elevation areas. One of the Free Scottish Wildlife Experience. Its no surprise that the Scottish Dolphin Centre near Fochabers is a great place to see some dolphins. Visiting Scotland in April you will be welcomed with lovely colours of green leaves as the trees are now in bud. Broughty Ferry Castle, at the entrance to the Firth of Tay, also gives an elevated perspective for potential observations. Even though August is the last month of summer the average temperature stays the same as June and July so in August you can still look forward to many hours of daylight and a fantastically warm sun shining over the hills and the Glens. April and May also bring several whiskey festivals to regions across the country. National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. Rab,Driver of P300NJB @Grampian Continental.. Here is a simple video we compiled with all our footage. Chase the Jacobite train and live your Harry Potter Dream. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Two Wandering Soles are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Pin this post to plan your dolphin watching adventures! READ: Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands. September is an ideal month to venture on a hiking journey in Scotland if you want to absorb the lovely sunlight of the summer, but would rather avoid the heat that comes with the season. Land watching dolphins is a prime activity here. The central Lowlands are home to both fertile farmland and almost all of Scotlands larger cities. The best places to see dolphins in Scotland The cool waters surrounding Scotland are the perfect habitat for the sleek marine mammal, with bottlenose, white Unsurprisingly, many tourists who visit Scotland want to see some dolphins, probably due to their prevalence in some foreign marine parks and the 1964 Flipper TV show that we all grew up with. 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. WebORCA are helping to raise awareness of the forgotton whales and dolphins within the North East Atlantic. I recommend the land experience if you dont want to spend money on a boat tour. Orcas are unmissable, although dont expect to see much more of these giant black and white beasts other than a fin or tail. The most exciting sight is to see the dolphins throw the fish in the water. Mostly we are the bottlenose dolphin pods are seen most of the year round! ), the overall weather just might surprise you. Exploring the Shiant Isles is another great way to see a colony of Puffins in their natural habitat within Scotland. 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. 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. Yes, they can sometimes be seen in the water off Portobello Beach, north Edinburgh. 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. Summer and winter in Scotland bring the most rainfall, while the spring and fall are surprisingly the driest seasons. Events are held throughout the country from May through August. Fort George was the army barracks built after the Battle of Culloden (and as such this makes a great Outlander site for fans) and theres a lot to explore for those interested in a bit of military history. 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. A pod of Killer Whales (Orcas) submerge from the sea during one of our wilderness holidays. Toggle navigation. 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. My kids are grown now but do come along sometimes! 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. 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! Go wildlife watching in Scotland without tying yourself to just spotting dolphins. By Neil Irvine, Content Editor Published: Jul 20, 2021More by Neil. Daylight hours are short in Scotland during winter, with just 7-8 hours of daily sunlight. kitesurfing on the eastern coast. Or not? Worst Taskmaster Contestants: Here are the 10 most unsuccessful Taskmaster contestants of all time - from Victoria Coren Mitchell to David Baddiel. 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! No wonder St Kilda is also affectionately known as Puffin Island! Its thought that the Moray Firth bottlenose dolphin population is around 200 making this group the most northerly in the World. As May is at the tail end of spring, expect to see a glimpse of summer with warmer temperatures averaging 12C/55F. The Highlands in the north are made up of rugged yet still lush mountainous topography that form some of the most picturesque landscapes in the world. Spring and fall, Scotlands shoulder seasons, both have moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. Read more about my return journey tackling the infamous Bad Step here! The dolphins heading for Chanonry Point have to travel past Fort George, so its a great viewing point if you want to see these magnificent creatures in action. There are plenty of sea activities here with multiple ships and yachts sailing by and there were also folks enjoying a kayak here. A large number of them can be seen around the coast of Scotland, but the best areas to find them are places such as the Hebridean Islands, West Coast Scotland, Shetland and the Orkney Isles. Crunchy snow underneath your boots, sparkly fields, and the most beautiful night skies. 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. 13th of February 2022, Find out more about Chris on the about page. You can manage your cookies via browser settings. Best bit you dont have to go on a boat (although you can do that too). We use cookies on our website, by using the site your are consenting to essential cookies. Moray Firth in Inverness also offers boat tours for dolphin watching. The sea around the Black Isle is nowadays world famous for its dolphin spotting possibilities yes, you heard right dolphins! Dolphin. You cant just rock up along the coast and expect to see troupes of dancing dolphins skipping about offshore. com. Best Time to Visit Japan: When to Go & When to Avoid! There is nothing more satisfying than the crunching of snow under your boots when out for a wintery walk. Even in the height of summer, it rarely exceeds 80F (27C) in most Scotland cities. Thanks, Your email address will not be published. A mixture of black and yellow common seals enjoying a sunny day on the beach! Autumn is a time of colourful landscapes and glowing skies. According to the Met Office, the average highest temperature for the month of March in Scotland can be around 7C/45F. All photography by Chris Thornton, John Luckwell and Alan Butterfield. 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. Below youll find a break down of the average temps and rainfall in Scotland by month: Psst! Top Tip: Go early to secure a parking spot, this is a free experience in demand. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, Fort George would be ideal, keep that in mind just in case. Pods often travel up this way after visiting Chanonry Point, and Kessock Bridge has the added benefit of being much more peaceful than that more famous viewing spot. Here are a few to check out. Click on one of the links below to find out more: Hiking the remote location of Knoydart during the month of Spring. Just make sure youre wrapped up warm and have the appropriate gear for walking in wintery weather low down and higher up. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). COPYRIGHT @2021 - Planet Hopper Girl by Jumana MP, Dolphin watching Boat Tours in Moray Firth and Islands, Map of Inverness, City in Scottish Highlands, Dolphin Watching at Chanonry Point Inverness, Best Time to See Dolphins in Chanonry Point, Checking the Tide Times for Dolphin Watching, Public Transport to Chanonry Point: Dolphin Shuttle Bus, Chanonry Point Coast: Lighthouse and Beach, Chanonry Point Dolphin Watching Experience, Top Tips for Dolphin Watching in Scotland. 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. WebAberdeenshire is a vast and scenic region, featuring many pretty towns, friendly communities, places to explore and fascinating attractions to visit. 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. Im going to pack my bags and wait at the border until Im allowed to cross over from England! Chanonry Point is a great place to hang out in Scotland with lots of water sports activities ongoing and a stunning lighthouse. If youre hoping to spot dolphins in their natural environment, here are the best places to visit. for postcard-worthy scenery, several easy hikes, and charming Victorian towns. Learn more about the great Cuckoo from Wilderness Expert Jonathan Willet. Its walkable and a lovely wee village too. Join us on the mission of hopping the planet! Scotland makes a great place to travel for jaw-dropping scenery, interesting history and a lively, welcoming culture. ), were all taken by me or James while at Chanonry Point. Witness some of Scotlands most exciting wildlife spectacles and taste flavours unique to our autumn months. 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! Since the 1980s they have been protected by UK law and ever since they have been gradually rising in numbers. This page may contain affiliate links. In late October, the days start to become noticeably shorter, with 10-13 hours of daily sunlight. People said we had better than normal 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. Another tale involves the ancient standing stone monument at Callanish located on the Isle of Lewis know as the Standing Stones of Callanish.
