Scotland best place to see whales and dolphins, study suggests

Scotland is a hotspot for those wanting to catch a glimpse of marine mammals such as whales and dolphins, according to a new survey.

Humpback whale in the Firth of Forth with Edinburgh Castle in the background. Picture: Adrian Plumb

The survey, conducted every summer by volunteers for the Sea Watch Foundation, records the number of whale and dolphin sightings across the United Kingdom.

Scotland came out on top last year with 43% of all UK sightings occurring off the Scottish coast.

608 sightings were recorded here compared with 555 in England, 231 in Wales, 11 in the Channel Islands and 5 sightings off the Isle of Man.

Northern Ireland recorded no sightings at all.

Volunteers conduct their searches along the coastline and using boats.