Visitors please sign in here to access your membership benefits. If you dont want to be bothered about parking or are not visiting by car, or dont want to walk far, you can take a Dolphin shuttle bus to Chanonry point. The Atlantic Puffin is similar to its north Pacific relative, The Horned Puffin, but can be easily distinguished by a steel-blue triangle located on the base of its beak. Divers can see them while scuba divingin many of Scotland's coastal areas, but it is rare. The best time of year to watch dolphins in Scotland is in July. 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. 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! I'm afraid your mobile phone won't cut it in this instance, dolphins are quite a difficult subject to capture. Theres also a cafe to get some food while youre watching. The highland hills and moors are especially atmospheric in winter, and the low sun makes for spectacular light across the day. Scotland is one of the best places in the world to see dolphins, especially from the land. He has travelled all over Scotland and experienced all it has to offer. Whales, Dolphins and Seals Whale Watching UK | Where to see Whales & Dolphins in the Dolphins prefer calmer and sunnier days and seem the most active then, however, you can see dolphins in Scotland at all times of the year. Both One of the industry leaders in small guided tours that offer a great tour of the NC500, Buzzing? The images on this page, while not professional by any means (!!! WebThen there are a number of locations where dolphins are fairly regularly spotted, these are at the Inverness Kessock Bridge area and Fort George near Inverness, and in Moray at Burghead, Hopeman and Spey Bay. Here is a simple video we compiled with all our footage. Watching dolphins in Scotland is a privilege, not a right. Scotlands winter wildlife How to See Them. Now I need to go back *w*, Great discovery isnt it? Mostly we are the bottlenose dolphin pods are seen most of the year round! Many of these locations are within 1-hour walking distance within the Inverness city center. The activity map is also available. One of the biggest, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, takes place in October, but there are many other niche festivals as well. Its possible to spot dolphins all along the east coast, particularly in the Cromarty and Moray Firths. In the Azores, pods tend to be largest in these months, and you may also see a few cute calves. 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! 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. Orcas are unmissable, although dont expect to see much more of these giant black and white beasts other than a fin or tail. Chanonry Point Located between Fortrose and Rosemarkie, south Chris Thornton is an expert on Scotland and has lived there for over 35 years. A great way to keep entertained is by waiting for dolphins to arrive. Car parking is ample here, and a great spot for motor homes. If you fancy driving to Chanonry Point from Fort George, it will take you 45 minutes via the Kessock Bridge, Inverness. And you can see all that just from the land in some of these spots. This means it will change daily. You might see all sorts of wildlife as well as being well placed to see dolphins as they swim upriver. Commons Seals are a rather diverse bunch and vary in colour from blond to black, but in general, they are normally grey coloured with dark spots. Summer brings festivals Edinburghs world-famous one comes to mind and long, light, late nights. Oh my I had no idea we could see dolphins in Scotland! 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. kitesurfing on the eastern coast. Camping enthusiasts are in for a treat this summer, as some of the best campsites in Scotland have been revealed. 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. May to September. It is best to check the tide time of the day you are visiting to increase your chances of seeing the dolphins. The Scottish Highlands are truly wild; its one of the least densely populated areas in all of Europe! 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. 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. go dolphin spotting near Inverness 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. The village of North Kessock lies just north of Inverness, over the Kessock bridge. The best dolphin view point in Scotland! - North Coast 500 Humpback whales tend to be grey or black in appearance with white markings on their underbelly and can be distinguished from other species of whales by their rather large flippers. If you would like to get hold of a map of Inverness, you can download it from the 4umaps. What time of year is best to see whales in Scotland? Dolphin & Whale Watching in Scottish Highlands, Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands. Thanks, Your email address will not be published. Yes, they can sometimes be seen in the water off Portobello Beach, north Edinburgh. Keep up the Great work! Summer and winter in Scotland bring the most rainfall, while the spring and fall are surprisingly the driest seasons. It is a great idea to grab a bite here by the sea. 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! Finally, and closer to the city of Inverness and walkable is Merkinch Local Nature Reserve. No problem. Honestly, Id say it was the best place for seeing dolphins you can see them without disturbing them and quite often too. If you are looking for a hiking adventure with a difference then visiting Scotland in autumn is truly otherworldly. During some years when we are really lucky, we experience summer super early and can experience an incredible 21C/70F. 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 one of the most popular spots in Inverness to see the dolphins swim from the land. 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. Rare NC500 Bumblebees need your help, 5 spectacular waterfalls to visit along the NC500. In our opinion, the best time to visit Scotland is during the spring or fall, with a few exceptions. You can manage your cookies via browser settings. You can see them jumping in the air, frolicking and being playful they are truly a joy to see! 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. 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. The best time to visit here for seeing dolphins is around an hour after low tide. 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. Scotland Camping: Essential Tips + Best Campsites. While it does rain often (theres a reason its so green! We use cookies on our website, by using the site your are consenting to essential cookies. You can also take your water sports equipment and head out into the sea to see the dolphins up close to here. All Rights Reserved. Experience the magic of traditional European Christmas markets and winter festivals. Summer promises long days, pleasant temperatures, and festivals galore. One of the Free Scottish Wildlife Experience. best time to visit Scotland These dolphins are hence the fattest in the world as they have extra fat to help them survive the cold. In the Cairngorm mountains, you can expect to see some remnants of snow still remaining from the winter months even duringMay. If you'd like to chat about Dolphin watching or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Anstruther, Fifes coastal community, has experienced a rise in dolphin sightings around the Firth of Forth. However, summer is a fantastic time to go Dolphin watching along the Sorry, you really cant put a percentage on it. During what season did you visit and what was your experience like? Add listings to your favourites by clicking the heart icon as you navigate the website. Winter is also a great time for nighttime walking. WebVisit the Black Isle, just across the Moray Firth from Inverness, to experience one of the best places in Europe to shore watch dolphins. You cant just rock up along the coast and expect to see troupes of dancing dolphins skipping about offshore. If it's really bright, try 1/1000 to stop that action perfectly. Its no surprise that the Scottish Dolphin Centre near Fochabers is a great place to see some dolphins. How did I have no idea you can see dolphins in Scotland??? However, wed avoid visiting Scotland during the month of August if you are not planning to attend the Fringe Festival as accommodation will be booked well in advance and prices sky-rocket! If youre wondering how to see dolphins near Inverness then read on for my tips on where to go and different ways to see them! The rugged southern Uplands form Scotlands 110-mile-long border with England. 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.