kitesurfing on the eastern coast. 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. 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All Rights Reserved. And you can see all that just from the land in some of these spots. and more of the coast between Inverness and Aberdeen. Broughty Ferry Castle, at the entrance to the Firth of Tay, also gives an elevated perspective for potential observations. WebORCA are helping to raise awareness of the forgotton whales and dolphins within the North East Atlantic. The best time of day to see dolphins at Chanonry Point near Inverness is when the tide is rising. Sapphire blue lochs (lakes) and narrow inlets dot the landscape, adding stunning character to the rugged peaks, glacier-carved valleys, and tiny islands. The best time of year to watch dolphins in Scotland is in July. Call toll free. Best time for dolphin watching Plus, well share what times of year wed avoid visiting! Best gifts for first time travelers perfect for gap year or first vacations. Red Deer are Scotlands largest land mammal and are also the biggest of the deer family they are a huge icon of Scotland and the Stag has become a symbol of the Highlands famous Speyside Glenfiddich Whisky. Spring and fall offer the opportunity for a more affordable trip with fewer crowds, but with access to many of the same experiences. They can be seen throughout the year, although they may be more visible in the spring and summer when the sea is calm. Expect to encounter stunning wildlife such as the great Cuckoo, Red Squirrels and the elusive Cairngorm Pine Marten. The average lifespan can be as low as 17 years old, but some have been known to live for 40 years, and those in captivity have lived as long as 51 years. 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. 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. Hi, I am Jumana, a technologist and a road trip expert traveling the world in my spare time. THE 10 BEST Scotland Dolphin & Whale Watching Tours (with 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! Humpback whales are not a species commonly seen in Scotland, but it is possible you may spot some swimming the seas around the north of Scotland and Shetland in the heart of the summer season. I travel with my husband James and sometimes with our dog Annie. Best time to visit Scottish Highlands 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). September might be too wet for long-distance treks, but October is drier, and stunning with fall foliage. October really is the greatest month to visit Scotland if you want to hike the landscapes during Scotlands full autumn glory. 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! ), the overall weather just might surprise you. You can drive up through the Highlands of Scotland and take the car ferry over to Orkney. In fact, May is National Whisky Month in Scotland (whisky is a BIG deal here Scots refer to it as the water of life). I didnt imagine Id be able to see them so close that I could look them in the eye! A pair of Dolphins stopping by the boat to say hello to Wilderness Scotland travellers. Visitors please sign in here to access your membership benefits. 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. 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. Just in the same way that you cant clamber aboard a boat and click your fingers or whistle or whatever. 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. Dolphins in Scotland, where to see Moray Firth Dolphins! We first roamed around the lighthouse, where you will also see lots of folks reading a book and having brunch. The most common and well known place is Chanonry Point near the village of Rosemarkie on the Black Isle (not an island you can drive there!). Spring is also fantastic for road-tripping through Scotland. Just make sure youre wrapped up warm and have the appropriate gear for walking in wintery weather low down and higher up. 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. Galloway Forest Park for top-notch stargazing and hopefully, the Northern Lights! To the east of Fort George is Spey Bay, another dolphin-watching hot spot. 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. The images on this page, while not professional by any means (!!! Scotland sees quite a bit of rain (and wind!) our woodlands are a sanctuary for these cute little critters and a place when they can thrive in the wild as nature intended. 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. Learn more about the great Cuckoo from Wilderness Expert Jonathan Willet. 2 miles north of Chanonry Point is the Fairy Glen Falls walk, with two beautiful waterfalls, well worth a visit before or after seeing the dolphins. Youll find less-crowded attractions, cheaper accommodations, unique winter wonderland experiences, and surprisingly mild weather. If you spot a few deerwhen exploring on an outdoor hiking adventure then take note of how they compare in size to one another. Hike to some waterfalls and enjoy the fall foliage. The truth is we can have a feast of sunshine during our Summer months of June, July and August. The sun also rises as early as 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. (remember, Scotland is waaaaay up there!) We were there last 2 weeks of Aug, first two weeks of Sept this year. in the major cities without any crowds, Layers, particularly wool base layers, to help regulate your temperature, Warm, waterproof boots (the taller the better!) Unofficially, the majority of the month is really a cooler summer than full autumn it is a transition period of the weather changing from summer to autumn. 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! And dont forget to pick up a guide book! 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. you can keep an eye out for dolphins from the ramparts of the fort. There are wooden benches around the stoney beach to view from. 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. WebAberdeenshire is a vast and scenic region, featuring many pretty towns, friendly communities, places to explore and fascinating attractions to visit. There are also a number of local businesses offering boat trips to spot not only dolphins but seals and a host of other sea life. 13th of February 2022, Find out more about Chris on the about page. The joy of watching dolphins swim in their natural habitat so close to you is an unbeatable experience not to miss in Scotland. 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. Young Cuckoo birds stay in Scotland until Autumn before following their elders to the African continent and settle for Winter before returning to Scotland in springtime. A great way to keep entertained is by waiting for dolphins to arrive. If you fancy driving to Chanonry Point from Fort George, it will take you 45 minutes via the Kessock Bridge, Inverness. 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. During what season did you visit and what was your experience like? This area is also a spectacular place to spot dolphins if you are lucky enough the speedboat will stop and let you see these lovely creatures up close. Fewer travellers mean fewer people on the trails and in the hills, providing an even more remote experience of the glorious scenic landscapes. 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. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatas in the family of Delphinidae) are the local dolphin species found in the Moray Firth, they are marine mammals that travel in groups called "Pods". Locally everyone loves dolphin watching, sometimes photos will be posted up to local Facebook groups or Flickr and there is always a great deal of interest in these beautifulcetaceans. WebChanonry Point is a popular tourist spot outside of Inverness. Exploring the Shiant Isles is another great way to see a colony of Puffins in their natural habitat within Scotland. In the springtime they tend to have 3 5 litters of young and come summer they are completely independent. 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. Youll find small shops with local food, restaurants and cafes. 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. During August and the last (official) month of summer the hours in the day lessen, but we still bask in 15 16 hours of daylight, so there is still plenty of light to savour whilst hiking the stunning landscapes of Scotland. And cooler temperatures also mercifully drive away the infamous midges and other biting insects that tend to swarm during the warmer months. We use cookies on our website, by using the site your are consenting to essential cookies. A Puffin watching the horizon on a high clifftop in the beautiful Shetland Isles. Its a great time to witness incredibly diverse wildlife that gives such bold life to the jaw-dropping landscapes of the Highlands as many creatures make their presence known and others migrate back to Scotland as the climate warms up after winter. Scotlands winter wildlife How to See Them. Land watching for Bottlenose dolphins is great from the seafront at the village of North Kessock, just across the water from Inverness and the dolphins are regularly seen in the fast tide right in front of the gift shop and art studio where you can also get wildlife watching advice such as tide times (very important for dolphin watching) and the sharp eyed amongst you might also spot local Seals, Otters, Red Kites and even Ospreys as well as dolphins at certain times of the year. 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. https://planethoppergirl.com/dolphin-watching-in-inverness-scotland Theres also the Fairy Glen waterfall too to enjoy. Best It is a bit long, but we have managed to catch the dolphins throwing the fish in this video. However, summer is a fantastic time to go Dolphin watching along the Dolphins Try F6-8, 1/500, ISO100 on a well lit day and alter your settings from there. 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. 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!) Scotland has native dolphins in the North sea and now you know it is easy to watch them for free too. Catch the cherry blossom bloom in Edinburgh and wildflower season across the entire country by simply walking around or driving without a destination! This is a lovely spot with a wide variety of habitats for different animals. One of the industry leaders in small guided tours that offer a great tour of the NC500, Buzzing? Hi Kirsty is it possible to walk our dog all the way from Rosemarkie to Chanonry point? Prey is found via their unique echolocation/sonar ability, bouncing sound via clicks and whistles. Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus. Orcas are unmissable, although dont expect to see much more of these giant black and white beasts other than a fin or tail. 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. Rab,Driver of P300NJB @Grampian Continental.. Daylight hours are short in Scotland during winter, with just 7-8 hours of daily sunlight. Still, there are certain times of year youll want to plan your trip around (and some youll want to avoid!) 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! Chase the Jacobite train and live your Harry Potter Dream. From there you can take an overnight car ferry north to Shetland. Dolphins, seals and porpoise are usually spotted in the area as they feed in the channel. Scotland gets a bit of a bad rap when it comes to weather. However, remember you can spot dolphins all along the Moray Firth Coast and also take a dolphin boat trip. The best time of year to watch dolphins in Scotland is in July. 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. Honestly, Id say it was the best place for seeing dolphins you can see them without disturbing them and quite often too. Brave the cold late at night to stargaze and try to spot the Northern Lights when the sky is clear. Anstruther, Fifes coastal community, has experienced a rise in dolphin sightings around the Firth of Forth. 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. 33 Famous landmarks in London which one is new to you. The sea around the Black Isle is nowadays world famous for its dolphin spotting possibilities yes, you heard right 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. Killer whales are part of the Dolphin family and are usually seen in the Summer months mainly during June and July although there is a strong possibility to sight these massive mammals during the month of August. Minke whales Some of my top recommendations include: Inverness is also a major location for those who are aiming for their ultimate Scottish highland experience, seeing as many lochs, driving the scenic NC500 route, or even chasing some of the top Harry Potter destinations. This trip is operated by our England team. 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. 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. A Minke Whale decides to swim alongside a group as if it thought the boat was part of its pod. However, dolphins can also be spotted during autumn and spring. When March approaches the temperature in Scotland begins to rise and the cold winter chill fades away. While this can make it feel like youre racing against time to cram everything in, the shorter days offer more time to enjoy the night sky, plus potentially even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Chanonry Point has a lighthouse and is popular for lots of sea activities for example kayaking, sailing, etc. The village of North Kessock lies just north of Inverness, over the Kessock bridge. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, Fort George would be ideal, keep that in mind just in case. All information was correct at the time of writing, please check things like entry costs and opening times before you arrive. A pod of Killer Whales (Orcas) submerge from the sea during one of our wilderness holidays.