Chris is also a keen photographer and has had work published on the BBC news website and local news outlets. Out of all the top places listed above, the locations near Inverness are where you can see the dolphins swimming from the land. All of these businesses are accredited with the "Dolphin Space Programme" which sounds very fancy and futuristic, but all it means is giving the dolphins more space and minimising disturbances to their lives. There was once a time that it was actually quite rare to see Dolphins swimming in the Hebridean Islands of Scotland, but now they seem to now be much easier to spot in the area. Rare NC500 Bumblebees need your help, 5 spectacular waterfalls to visit along the NC500. In these regions, you can take boat tours to see dolphins swim in the sea. 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. The truth is that there are many different reasons to visit Scotland all year round! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Check out one of several literary festivals that take place around the country. Try F6-8, 1/500, ISO100 on a well lit day and alter your settings from there. The images on this page, while not professional by any means (!!! If you fancy exploring the Scottish Highlands and want to make the most of the long stretches of daylight then visiting here in the summer months is definitely an amazing time to embark on an unforgettable adventure holiday. On the opposite shore to Chanonry Point, Fort George is a good place to go if you want to combine some history with a bit of dolphin spotting too! It is something that has been on my bucket list forever! Minke whales Things to Do in Aberdeenshire Itinerary | VisitScotland Watch dolphins from a respectable distance and they will be happy. 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. 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. 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%. You should not miss the perfect chance to see the dolphins here One of the Free Scottish Wildlife Experience. There are some nice facilities here including a cafe, gift shop and toilet and a superb exhibition. Since its the other side of Chanonry Point keep an eye on tide times around low tide and an hour after could be good. Thats not all! The Western Isles, Scotland The Western Isles of Scotland is another great place for Whale Watching. This below ship when emerged which reminded me of many stories including the Norwegian Vikings, Copenhagen, Portugal, and even India. READ: Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands. But keep in mind that there is truly plenty to enjoy year-round in this stunning, welcoming country. 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. My kids are grown now but do come along sometimes! In March, temperatures generally hover in the 40s and low 50s (4-15C), but by May, upper 70s (23+C) arent uncommon! Some trails are manageable in the wintertime, some are best in the summer. And you can see all that just from the land in some of these spots. 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! The shortest day of the year in Scotland is usually the 21st of December, with as little as 6-7 daylight hours depending on where you are. The best places to see dolphins in Scotland The cool waters surrounding Scotland are the perfect habitat for the sleek marine mammal, with bottlenose, white 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! Summer promises long days, pleasant temperatures, and festivals galore. Different species of dolphin frequent the west coast of Scotland, as well as the Scottish Isles. If youre dying to swim with dolphins in Scotland then this page isnt for you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Two Wandering Soles are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 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. Temperatures are definitely a little colder, but not unbearable by any meansusually between 35-45F (1-7C) in the cities and lower elevation areas. Inverness city has a lot of Scottish attractions and landmarks that are worth a visit. Here are a few to check out. Dolphins can be seen from the Scotland mainland as well as by taking boat tours both in Moray Firth and in the islands of Scotland. Finally, and closer to the city of Inverness and walkable is Merkinch Local Nature Reserve. WebHonest, easy to read advice on the best time to watch dolphins and what species to see at different times of year. Pine Martens are experts at scaling trees and they tend to shelter in tree holes, so stay on the lookout for any visual clues. I founded Planet Hopper Girl aiming to promote traveling as a lifestyle, the ultimate way to discover yourself and find freedom. I knew they were there, I knew you could see them close, but I still expected them to be a dot in the sea! Winter is still a good time for some low level walking in the Highlands. Reaching up to 4 metres in length when full grown, they are a large-bodied dolphin, generally a uniform shade of darker grey on the back, fading to paler grey underneath with a curved dorsal fin and a short beak. kitesurfing on the eastern coast. See our cookie policy for more information. It is not only very budget-friendly but purely an extraordinary experience. Where do you think the best locations for dolphin-spotting are? The dolphins dont know that the lookout is gone though and you can still see them from the shores of North Kessock. Winter in Scotland is the low season for tourism, but dont let that dissuade you from visiting. The best dolphin view point in Scotland! - North Coast 500 Whales, Dolphins and Seals Harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphins are found in higher densities here, especially around the Inner Hebrides. Be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers. sports at the famous Highland Games. While it often gets overshadowed by neighboring countries from a tourism standpoint, Scotland is one place you should have on your bucket list! Worst Taskmaster Contestants: Here are the 10 most unsuccessful Taskmaster contestants of all time - from Victoria Coren Mitchell to David Baddiel. Travellers enjoying a lovely summers day hiking in the mountainous Assynt. 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. If youre wondering how to see dolphins near Inverness then read on for my tips on where to go and different ways to see them! Head out and immerse yourself in Scotlands landscape when it is blanketed in snow and sparkly. One can check the tide time for a given day on WillyWeather and time your visit to 1 hour afterward. 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. According to the Met Office, the average highest temperature for the month of March in Scotland can be around 7C/45F. Have you ever been to Scotland before? Learn more. Best time for dolphin watching Here are a few of the very best dolphin spotting locations: Given the popularity of the North Coast 500, it's good there is a great area for spotting dolphins a short distance from the main route. Autumn is also a great opportunity to witness a variety of wildlife that you can see in the summer, but also there is a higher chance of encountering majestic Red Deer in the hills and if you are really lucky maybe you will spot the rare wildcat running around the Cairngorms National Park in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Moving further along the cost to the Bay of Nigg also offers spectacular views of the dolphins as well as a sea unspoilt by the bustle of the harbour. On average there are 38 days of snow in Scotland, with 26 days of settled snow on the ground. Sea Life Surveys 385 Boat Keep yourself warm by sampling some of the finest Scotch (Scottish whiskey) at a distillery, Hit the slopes at Cairngorm National Park for some skiing or snowboarding, Make a stop to visit and interact with the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, a free-roaming herd of about 150 animals, When you need rainy-day activities, enjoy the museums (many of which are totally free!) Hope you go see them one day. We use cookies on our website, by using the site your are consenting to essential cookies. Its walkable and a lovely wee village too. This is where the River Spey terminates into the North Sea and is a popular feeding ground with dolphins and seals for salmon hunting. Another tale involves the ancient standing stone monument at Callanish located on the Isle of Lewis know as the Standing Stones of Callanish. The weather is changeable this time of year, but rarely extreme. Sapphire blue lochs (lakes) and narrow inlets dot the landscape, adding stunning character to the rugged peaks, glacier-carved valleys, and tiny islands. They are similar in size to a dove, but they are coloured blue-grey in appearance and have dark stripes drawn across their tummy. Bring your binoculars and tripods during your trip. You can expect a mix of clear blue skies and cloudy grey days during winter in Scotland, with occasional rain, snow and ice. Theres a car park nearby for those driving. Fewer travellers mean fewer people on the trails and in the hills, providing an even more remote experience of the glorious scenic landscapes. Its where I always aim to visit and where I think Ive only ever not seen them once (out of the prime season). A pair of Dolphins stopping by the boat to say hello to Wilderness Scotland travellers. Everything from eagles to otters, seals to seabirds, can be seen in Scotland and sometimes its the people that youre with who leave the most lasting impression. All our trips support communities and preserve nature - which helps you get closer to both. Published 26th Apr 2023, 13:02 BST. Kirsty has been getting lost around the world for over 30 years and writing about it for 10 of those. 33 Famous landmarks in London which one is new to you. While it does rain often (theres a reason its so green! Expect to encounter stunning wildlife such as the great Cuckoo, Red Squirrels and the elusive Cairngorm Pine Marten. Similar to March, the month of April offers welcome dry spells as the climate becomes increasingly warmer across the country from the North to the South of Scotland. Really, spring and summer are a good to time to go dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth. Winter is also a great time for nighttime walking. UK: +44 (0)1479 420 020 US: 1-866-740-3890 [emailprotected], Wilderness Scotland Dalfaber Drive Aviemore Highland Scotland PH22 1ST, 2022 Wilderness Group Ltd | Registered in Scotland SC211011, Cookies & Privacy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Site Credits. People said we had better than normal weather. Celebrate St. Andrews Day with the locals. The grass on the Moors gradually begins to fade to red and the trees come alive with shades of yellow, red, and orange. 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!) The best time to visit Scotland overall is during the spring and fall, just outside of peak tourism season (summer) and when the weather is most pleasant. You will need to pay an entrance fee for the Fort George site its a Historic Scotland site so free for members. There are healthy populations of both 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. Learn about what a Scottish summer is like. Home Blog United Kingdom Best Time to Visit Scotland: When to Go & When to Avoid!