Dolphin Watching in Scotland: 9 Beautiful Scottish places where we find cute Dolphins
If you have ever wanted to watch Dolphins in the wild then Scotland is an excellent choice as many hotspots for Dolphin spotting are scattered all over the nation.
“More than a quarter of the world’s whale, dolphin and porpoise species have been recorded in Hebridean seas, making this an area of global importance for cetaceans.”
This fact comes from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and it speaks to just how special Scotland is as a place where all forms of wildlife (including aquatic) thrive - hence why David Attenborough spoke so highly of it.
That said, most Scots when asked for recommended Scottish sites to watch Dolphins would instantly point to Chanonry Point on the East Coast and, while it’s an excellent choice, it can be overrun by tourists.
Here are 9 recommended Dolphin spotting sites in Scotland and the species of Dolphin you can expect to find there.
That said, most Scots when asked for recommended Scottish sites to watch Dolphins would instantly point to Chanonry Point on the East Coast and, while it’s an excellent choice, it can be overrun by tourists.
5. Kessock Bridge, Inverness
The Kessock Bridge links Inverness and the Black Isle and is a major crossing over the Beauly Firth. Past the bridge you’ll discover North Kessock village. There, you can enjoy Dolphin sightings in a quieter area as the dolphins that are frequently sighted nearby are those that have travelled up the Beauly Firth after being in Chanonry Point.
The reserve consists of 50+ hectares of land and shoreline encompassing areas like Kessock, Carnarc, the Caledonian Canal and the Moray Firth. Here, visitors can enjoy outstanding views of the Black Isle and a charming wildlife walk along the Beauly Firth. Where else could you see otters, kingfishers, waders, ducks and dolphins all in one walk?
Oban is a charming seaside town on the west coast of Scotland in the county of Argyll and Bute. According to the Wild About Argyll website: “Rich feeding grounds make the waters surrounding Oban & Lorn prime cetacean-spotting territory, and dolphins, porpoises, minke whales, seals, basking sharks and even the occasional orca can be seen.”
The port of Mallaig is situated on the rugged west coast of Scotland roughly 45 miles north-west of Fort William. There are several tours on offer that allow you to get close to the Hebridean Dolphins. Western Isles Cruises tells us: “The wildlife cruise is THE attraction in Mallaig. The waters are visited by a variety of birds, seals, porpoises, dolphins, whales and sharks.”