So, if you decided to book a trip with us remember to keep some coins in your pocket as you could be much richer after your holiday! 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. Here is a simple video we compiled with all our footage. Required fields are marked *. However, dolphins can also be spotted during autumn and spring. On average there are 38 days of snow in Scotland, with 26 days of settled snow on the ground. Minke Whales can be seen around the coast of Scotland, but they mostly congregate around the small Isles (Rum, Eigg and Muck) and on the west coast between the Isles of Skye and Mull. Just make sure youre wrapped up warm and have the appropriate gear for walking in wintery weather low down and higher up. Its not freezing rain like youre probably imagining (usually, anyway!). and more of the coast between Inverness and Aberdeen. Spring and fall offer the opportunity for a more affordable trip with fewer crowds, but with access to many of the same experiences. Brave the cold late at night to stargaze and try to spot the Northern Lights when the sky is clear. WebVisit the Black Isle, just across the Moray Firth from Inverness, to experience one of the best places in Europe to shore watch dolphins. Dolphins in Chanonry point appear around the rising tide time and the best time to see them is 1 hour after the low tide time. WebAberdeenshire is a vast and scenic region, featuring many pretty towns, friendly communities, places to explore and fascinating attractions to visit. The best time of day to see dolphins at Chanonry Point near Inverness is when the tide is rising. 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. Some of the best and most accessible include Black Linn Falls, Falls of Foyers near famous Loch Ness, and Loup of Fintry. Located between Fortrose and Rosemarkie, south of Cromarty, the narrow peninsula of Chanonry Point is well known as the best place to see pods of dolphins in Scotland. How did I have no idea you can see dolphins in Scotland??? We have lots of resources on travel in Scotland and destinations throughout the country. Spot whales, otters and eagles on Isle of Mull, Scotland, Ultimate week of wildlife spotting on the Isle of Mull. 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. Want to know more about us? 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. Cuckoos also journey to the rest of the UK when spring arrives, but the majority seem to take residence in Scotland with the Highlands being their favourite part of the country to settle. We did last 2 weeks in Aug because the kids are back in school then. Great info, thanks! Home Blog United Kingdom Best Time to Visit Scotland: When to Go & When to Avoid! There are a few different places where you can do dolphin watching near Inverness they are seen around the Moray Firth which is the river estuary leading out to the North Sea. WebChanonry Point is a popular tourist spot outside of Inverness. Ardnamurchan Point, Mull, and Red Point, south of Gairloch often have white-beaked and Rissos dolphins in their waters. Although it is possible to see them from most headlands, many sightings are reported from Neist Point. A. Both summer and winter have plenty to offer as well. Built to stop any further Jacobite rebellions, it was never used after the decisive victory at Culloden. kitesurfing on the eastern coast. Scotland may be fairly small, but theres no shortage of geographical diversity. 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. The downside of Chanonry Point is that as its so popular the car park can become very busy, especially in the summer months. Add listings to your favourites by clicking the heart icon as you navigate the website. There are healthy populations of both bottlenose and common dolphins in Scotland, and they are quite easy to spot, particularly from small islands on the west coast. The Moray Firth Try the beach below the lighthouse at Chanonry Point on the north shore, or the WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre on the south shore 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!) Met Gala 2023: What time does the Met Gala start in the UK and where can you watch it? Questions about Scotland? This is where the River Spey terminates into the North Sea and is a popular feeding ground with dolphins and seals for salmon hunting. 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. The country spans across the northern one-third of Great Britain and includes nearly 800 islands, only 130 of which are inhabited! Spring and fall, Scotlands shoulder seasons, both have moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. Scotland is one of the best places in the world to see dolphins, especially from the land. The mammals can be seen dodging boats from Torry Battery, an old military fort that still overlooks the harbour entrance. If you have time to discover more of the country, dont miss these epic places to visit in Scotland. If youre in Inverness on your way to or from the Black Isle, get in touch with Dolphin Spirit. Spring is somewhat similar to fall in terms of weather and crowds, making it what some consider the best time to visit Scotland. Tessa from our Travel Team spent five hours watching a pod of orcas swimming around the coastline of Shetland in July. The Cuckoo is appropriately named as it makes a cuck-oo sound when calling out over the skies. Harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphins are found in higher densities here, especially around the Inner Hebrides. As well as bottlenose dolphins, you may well catch sight of ospreys, grey and common seals, the occasional otter and many coastal birds here. The dolphins dont know that the lookout is gone though and you can still see them from the shores of North Kessock. By Neil Irvine, Content Editor Published: Jul 20, 2021More by Neil. Yeh me neither Hannah, but that was my best discovery as I really enjoyed seeing dolphins from the land in Inverness. Chris founded this website to show off the best of Scotland to the rest of the world. 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. com. Best place in the world to see dolphins from the land, so you gotta go again I bet. Psst! Islands where you can see dolphins include Isle of Mull and Isle of Skye. You might see all sorts of wildlife as well as being well placed to see dolphins as they swim upriver. 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. Try F6-8, 1/500, ISO100 on a well lit day and alter your settings from there. I was so fortunate to experience dolphin watching at Chanonry point Inverness during a road trip in Scotland. Toggle navigation. Holidays that you view will be shown here. I once was invited to go out on the Moray Firth in a small catamaran, we encountered seals, a basking shark and dolphins! And, of course, we have some of the worlds most incredible beaches in the Highlands and the Outer Hebrides which look very tropical in the summer with beautiful green and blue-tinted waters filling the scenery. The spit of land by Chanonry Point lighthouse is ever changing with the tides so, especially if you arrive when the tide is coming in, watch your belongings and your feet. Here are a few to check out. 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. Learn about what a Scottish summer is like. Lastly, there are plenty of compelling reasons to visit Scotland in the winter. Another spot is Merkinch Nature reserve which has views over the Moray Firth. you can keep an eye out for dolphins from the ramparts of the fort. All information was correct at the time of writing, please check things like entry costs and opening times before you arrive. Best time of the day to see dolphins are in the low tide time in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Important Note: One thing to be aware of when visiting Scotland in the fall is that many popular tourist attractions shut down for the winter season in early November. Summer brings festivals Edinburghs world-famous one comes to mind and long, light, late nights. WebThe best time to see minke whales in Scotland is from the end of May to September. Learn more about the great Cuckoo from Wilderness Expert Jonathan Willet. Catch some very traditional (and very unique!) 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. WebORCA are helping to raise awareness of the forgotton whales and dolphins within the North East Atlantic. 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. Just when is the best time to hike in Scotland? Around 75% of the UKs Red Squirrels can be found in Scotland. in the major cities without any crowds, Layers, particularly wool base layers, to help regulate your temperature, Warm, waterproof boots (the taller the better!) Scotland has a very temperate climate. During what season did you visit and what was your experience like? We caught up with Charlie Phillips A professional wildlife photographer, and a Whale and Dolphin Conservation Field Officer (he studies dolphins for a living!). Spring is an excellent time to spot Red Squirrels in Scotland. The activity map is also available. 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. All our trips support communities and preserve nature - which helps you get closer to both. Bring your binoculars and tripods during your trip. 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. 2023 North Coast 500 | Company Number: SC504749 | All Rights Reserved | Design by. To increase your chances of a sighting, the best time to visit is between May and September, although Prey is found via their unique echolocation/sonar ability, bouncing sound via clicks and whistles. Boats arent restricted to certain times to see the dolphins as they can find them wherever they are. The Moray Firth is another popular cetacean-spotting location thanks to the residency of nearly 130 of the same bottlenose species. 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. Dolphin watching holidays in Greece tend to focus closely on conservation research when you travel with responsible providers there are several species in these waters and they face a wide range of threats. Some stock photography is used. It is thought that the warming of the water around the Hebrides is what is now attracting dolphins to the area. One of the biggest, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, takes place in October, but there are many other niche festivals as well. 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. While it often gets overshadowed by neighboring countries from a tourism standpoint, Scotland is one place you should have on your bucket list! The grass on the Moors gradually begins to fade to red and the trees come alive with shades of yellow, red, and orange. Best Castles near LondonVisiting the D-Day beaches of NormandyDay trips from York1 day in York, EnglandVisiting Stonehenge. 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. Dolphins and porpoise are here all year round. The highland hills and moors are especially atmospheric in winter, and the low sun makes for spectacular light across the day. The activity map is also available. A great way to keep entertained is by waiting for dolphins to arrive. Chase the Jacobite train and live your Harry Potter Dream. 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! We use cookies on our website, by using the site your are consenting to essential cookies. Ive only passed by Inverness once and that was on the way to Skye, so I had no idea you could see dolphins here! Unique winter experiences make it one of the best times to visit Scotland for those who enjoy getting off the beaten path. If you'd like to chat about Dolphin watching or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. 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! People said we had better than normal weather. Sorry, you really cant put a percentage on it. In fact, May is National Whisky Month in Scotland (whisky is a BIG deal here Scots refer to it as the water of life). We did a circle tour in a rented car (Arnold Clark) and used Airbnb. In the springtime they tend to have 3 5 litters of young and come summer they are completely independent. As winter fades and the warmer weather of spring emerges, the snow begins to melt, animals poke their heads out, and the countryside greens up and comes alive again. Yes, they can sometimes be seen in the water off Portobello Beach, north Edinburgh. 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. 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. 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. We put together this overview to help you determine the best time to visit Scotland and what you can expect during each season. Bottlenose dolphins are perhaps the best-known of the cetaceans found around Scotland. //-->//>