Concern for three whales stranded in shallow waters as a naval base blocks their paths

Three Northern Bottlenose whales have been spotted swimming near Garelochhead, Argyll and Bute after being unable to get back home to the North Atlantic due to a naval base blocking their path.
By Beth Murray
Published 28th Sep 2020, 16:55 BST
Updated 28th Sep 2020, 19:32 BST
Northern bottlenose whales cavorting in Garelochead, Argyll and Bute, Scotland,Northern bottlenose whales cavorting in Garelochead, Argyll and Bute, Scotland,
Northern bottlenose whales cavorting in Garelochead, Argyll and Bute, Scotland,

The animals have been stuck for the past five days because they are unable to swim past the Faslane Naval Base which has submarines in the surrounding water.

Locals have raised concerns that two of the deep sea creatures appear to be sick and may not make it back to the North Atlantic.

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Dad-of-four James Munro, 38, has been watching the whales from his home in the village and said a number of professionals and experts have arrived to monitor the situation.

Northern bottlenose whales cavorting in Garelochead, Argyll and Bute, Scotland,Northern bottlenose whales cavorting in Garelochead, Argyll and Bute, Scotland,
Northern bottlenose whales cavorting in Garelochead, Argyll and Bute, Scotland,

He said: "It is a novelty, people thought 'this is amazing'. We live right on the shoreline, we don't usually see whales jumping around. It has attracted a bit of a crowd.

"They are supposed to be out at sea, it's bizarre. There is nowhere for them to go. There are academics studying them and Marine Life Rescue are here, in case they beach. The scientists are outside my house, we are bringing them cups of tea”

James believes that the whales travelled up the Clyde, past Greenoch and Ayrshire to end up where they are now in Garelochhead.

He added: "There are submarines at Faslane and they don't seem able to get past the base. It has been fantastic to see them, it is once in a lifetime.

Three northern bottlenose whales cavorting in Garelochead, Argyll and Bute, ScotlandThree northern bottlenose whales cavorting in Garelochead, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Three northern bottlenose whales cavorting in Garelochead, Argyll and Bute, Scotland

"I hope it doesn't turn into a sad sight on the beach."

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