On average there are 38 days of snow in Scotland, with 26 days of settled snow on the ground. A young wildcat in the Highland Wildlife Park. She cannot stay away from historical sites. Explore the many stunning lochs. Gestation is quite long at 12 months and females give birth to a single fully formed calf every 3 to 6 years. Our local area is one of the best areas in Scotland for porpoise and we see them on the vast majority of summer trips. Dolphin watching in Scotland - Responsible Travel Dolphins All information was correct at the time of writing, please check things like entry costs and opening times before you arrive. Celebrate St. Andrews Day with the locals. Honestly, Id say it was the best place for seeing dolphins you can see them without disturbing them and quite often too. In August, Edinburgh plays host to the Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world! Take a hike! Glasgow and Edinburgh both host amazing ones, and Edinburghs is one of the largest in the UK! April and May also bring several whiskey festivals to regions across the country. In fact, nearly 90% of the countrys population resides in the Lowlands. So the best time to visit for you largely depends on what you want to see and do. Beautiful blue skies on Scotlands west coast. Want to know more about us? You really need a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens between 200-400 mm. Spot whales, otters and eagles on Isle of Mull, Scotland, Ultimate week of wildlife spotting on the Isle of Mull. Call toll free. ), were all taken by me or James while at Chanonry Point. Different species of dolphin frequent the west coast of Scotland, as well as the Scottish Isles. Where is the best place to see orca whales? Still not guaranteed but can definitely provide a different perspective and experience! Undoubtedly, the best way to see these wee creatures is to travel to the famous island of St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides which is home to Scotlands largest single colony of seabirds and an incredible estimated 270,000 birds are scattered across the island! 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. The images on this page, while not professional by any means (!!! Overall, we recommend visiting in May or September for your trip to Scotland, so youll have the best chance for warmer, drier weather and fewer crowds. 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. 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. The Isles truly are an incredible sight to behold and there is nothing quite like witnessing the bird colony in person. Hi Kirsty is it possible to walk our dog all the way from Rosemarkie to Chanonry point? The predominance of bottlenose dolphins is also a feature of the waters on the west coast, with over 60 members of the species living in the Sound of Barra and the Hebrides. Hi Julia, thanks for the comment. Best bit you dont have to go on a boat (although you can do that too). Scotland Camping: Essential Tips + Best Campsites. Autumn is a time of colourful landscapes and glowing skies. While you very well may experience all four seasons in the span of just a few hours (packing layers is key! Since its the other side of Chanonry Point keep an eye on tide times around low tide and an hour after could be good. ), Layers to stay comfortable in temperatures between 40-60F (4-15C), Waterproof shoes or boots to protect your feet from melting snow, Trekking poles to help with stability and traction on muddy hiking trails. Despite the name, Red deer are actually coloured dark brown with a tint of reddish-orange painted onto their fur so nearly red, but not quite 100%. In September the air is still warm enough to feel like summer, but cool enough not to be too chillingly cold. I cant wait to visit and (hopefully!) Sightings further out in the Firth of Forth are common. Simply enter your email and we'll send it your way! ), the overall weather just might surprise you. Best time for dolphin watching Best place in the world to see dolphins from the land, so you gotta go again I bet. As the temperatures drop, the fall foliage begins to put on an impressive show, creating a photographers paradise especially in the Highlands. While it does rain often (theres a reason its so green! 2023 North Coast 500 | Company Number: SC504749 | All Rights Reserved | Design by. 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. Some destinations are far more suited than others for family dolphin watching holidays. You will need to pay an entrance fee for the Fort George site its a Historic Scotland site so free for members. Best I recommend the land experience if you dont want to spend money on a boat tour. 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. They also dont necessarily need good weather. WebORCA are helping to raise awareness of the forgotton whales and dolphins within the North East Atlantic. Luxury must be comfortable otherwise it is not luxury at all, Savour some of Scotland's best seafood, local produce & distilleries, Take a trip on the wild side and rest your weary head where you like, Award Winning Hospitality - The Kingsmills Hotel and Ness Walk. 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. It is a question many travellers are eager to know when deciding to travel to Scotland for a perfect holiday. This vast area, including the islands off the northern coast, encompasses about half of Scotlands total land mass. Just in the same way that you cant clamber aboard a boat and click your fingers or whistle or whatever. Your best bet is to go with a guide and look out for dolphins from the headland or take one of the regular ferries out to the surrounding islands. Holidays that you view will be shown here. Sign up for the mailing list and receive this free travel itinerary. One of the industry leaders in small guided tours that offer a great tour of the NC500, Buzzing? 1 hour after low tide is a good reference point to aim for. The Western Isles, Scotland The Western Isles of Scotland is another great place for Whale Watching. National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Go wildlife watching in Scotland without tying yourself to just spotting dolphins. Salmon start to migrate to the Moray coast in spring and this continues into the summer, which attracts the Dolphins looking to feed. 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). 33 Famous landmarks in London which one is new to you. 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. Thats not all! We use cookies on our website, by using the site your are consenting to essential cookies. The majority of Red Deer can be found roaming around the mountainsides, hills and glens in the Highlands of Scotland and scattered throughout places such as the jaw-dropping landscapes ofAssynt, but a fair number of these majestic creatures can also be found populating the tranquil Hebridean Islands of Arran, Jura and Rum. The best time to visit here for seeing dolphins is around an hour after low tide. 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. Summer is also a period where our multitude of brightly coloured flowers flourish in the warmth. Its easy to walk to from Inverness but you can also take public transport which will drop you off at the reserve youll want bus number 3. Minke whales Spring is also fantastic for road-tripping through Scotland. Its where I always aim to visit and where I think Ive only ever not seen them once (out of the prime season). Top Tip: Go early to secure a parking spot, this is a free experience in demand. With a square head spotted with patches of white, the Risso is one of the most distinctive dolphins still in existence and also features an usually large dorsal fin. WebHonest, easy to read advice on the best time to watch dolphins and what species to see at different times of year. Chanonry Point has a lighthouse and is popular for lots of sea activities for example kayaking, sailing, etc. Summit Ben Nevis in the Highlands, the highest mountain in all of the UK, or explore some shorter waterfall trails. The best time of day to see dolphins at Chanonry Point near Inverness is when the tide is rising. You can drive up through the Highlands of Scotland and take the car ferry over to Orkney. Be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers. 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. Something unique to consider when youre deciding on the best time to visit Scotland is daylight hours. 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. Summer is also a great time to spot wildlife as different animals appear more frequent in number during the months of summer. Fort George is an 18th-century fortress near Ardersier and Inverness. Dolphins, whales & basking sharks in Scotland 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 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. Yeh me neither Hannah, but that was my best discovery as I really enjoyed seeing dolphins from the land in Inverness.