Ever since the magic of that first day seeing them so close, every time were near Inverness we always try and go to that spot to see if we are lucky again. Some of the best and most accessible include Black Linn Falls, Falls of Foyers near famous Loch Ness, and Loup of Fintry. The most exciting sight is to see the dolphins throw the fish in the water. Summer Solstice takes place inJune and marks the longest day of the year and many people in England celebrate at the famous Stonehenge monument, but in Scotland, we have a few standing stone monuments where you can celebrate the longest day in the amazing Scottish wilderness without the crowds at places such as the Standing Stones of Callanish in the Outer Hebrides, the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney or the three standing stones in Kilmartin Glen. However you will be a bit further away from the action, but still, you could visit Fort George which is a great day out in itself, and try and view the dolphins from the elevated battlements. Most of the snow falls in northern mountainous areas like the Cairngorms, Glencoe and Torridon. Dolphins Im sure you want to know just when the warmest month in Scotland actually is you may discover that a number of Scottish locals joke that our sunny summer weather lasts only around a few days, or maybe as long as a week! Best time to visit Scottish Highlands Some trails are manageable in the wintertime, some are best in the summer. Summit Ben Nevis in the Highlands, the highest mountain in all of the UK, or explore some shorter waterfall trails. There is nothing more satisfying than the crunching of snow under your boots when out for a wintery walk. Celebrate St. Andrews Day with the locals. All our trips support communities and preserve nature - which helps you get closer to both. One superstition is to make sure that you have money in your pocket in case you hear a Cuckoo because you will be financially secure for the rest of the year. During Autumn the Scottish climate begins to cool, the days shorten, and the leaves turn into a lovely golden brown colour. kitesurfing on the eastern coast. Broughty Ferry Castle, at the entrance to the Firth of Tay, also gives an elevated perspective for potential observations. The best time to see minke whales off the coast of the Isle of Skye is between May and October. An adorable Red squirrel enjoying a nice rest in the Cairngorms National Park. 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. Here are some dolphin spotting boat trips near Inverness to check out: Check flights: SkyscannerBook Car Rental: DiscoverCarsBook hotels: Booking.comBook Vacation Rentals: VRBO.com. I'm Kirsty and I like to share my tips for travelling around some of my favourite places in the world - Scotland, England and a few more besides! One can check the tide time for a given day on WillyWeather and time your visit to 1 hour afterward. Around 75% of the UKs Red Squirrels can be found in Scotland. Similar to Killer whales Summer is an amazing time to look for Minke Whales, although, Spring is can also be a good time to see them but chances of a sighting lessen slightly. Sea life fans staying on Lewis, Harris, North or South Uist, Eriskay, Berneray, Barra and Vatersay can take boat trips to spot marine mammals. This site contains affiliate links and as such any purchases or bookings made after clicking may earn me a commission. WebThen there are a number of locations where dolphins are fairly regularly spotted, these are at the Inverness Kessock Bridge area and Fort George near Inverness, and in Moray at Burghead, Hopeman and Spey Bay. This article contains affiliate links. There are around 200 Bottlenose dolphins that live all year in the chilly waters of the Moray Firth and around the East Coast of Scotland and half this population are seen regularly along the Black Isle coastline, especially in the spring and summer months. Winter in Scotland is the low season for tourism, but dont let that dissuade you from visiting. that will keep your feet warm in the snow, Heavy-duty cold-weather gear for cold fronts, such as a coat, wool socks, scarf, beanie, and winter gloves, Packable emergency thermal blankets, just in case you run into inclement weather and get stuck somewhere while youre out and about, The city of Inverness, where the North Coast 500 begins, Enjoy some unreal wildlife in the Shetland Isles, Glasgow and Edinburgh have notably smaller crowds than during the peak months, Experience the wonder of the cherry blossom bloom in Edinburgh, The north coast Scottish isles, where you can experience dolphin- and whale-watching. And cooler temperatures also mercifully drive away the infamous midges and other biting insects that tend to swarm during the warmer months. Best Time to Visit Japan: When to Go & When to Avoid! Chanonry Point may be one of the best places in Scotland to see dolphins, the land juts out into the Moray Firth forming a natural peninsula and creates the perfect spot to see them feed (and play if you're lucky). In terms of weather, Scotland never gets either super hot or super cold (with the exception of the Highlands, of course), so most activities are available year-round. As May is at the tail end of spring, expect to see a glimpse of summer with warmer temperatures averaging 12C/55F. com. The mammals can be seen dodging boats from Torry Battery, an old military fort that still overlooks the harbour entrance. Business members please sign in here to access your membership benefits. I recommend the land experience if you dont want to spend money on a boat tour. Similar to common seals they dwell in the Hebridean Islands, the West Coast, Shetland and the Orkney Isles. Lastly, there are plenty of compelling reasons to visit Scotland in the winter. Dolphin. The best time of year to watch dolphins in Scotland is in July. Atlantic white-sided, white-beaked, common, bottlenose and Rissos dolphins, along with the most distinctive and largest variety of dolphin, orcas, can all be seen swimming in Scottish waters. READ: Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands. Best Time to Visit Scotland: When to Go & When to Avoid! A young wildcat in the Highland Wildlife Park. WebYou can go for a morning or afternoon saunter along the wooded coastal walkway for about 5 km between the villages of Kippford and Rockcliffe, with cute houses, colourful plants and scampering squirrels to spot along the way. There used to be a Dolphin and Seal centre and lookout near the bridge which was run by the WDC but unfortunately thats closed now. 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. Red Squirrel 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. Although they love the salmon in the waters off Moray, they also love eels, shrimp, squid and other fish which they devour whole without chewing. Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. In late October, the days start to become noticeably shorter, with 10-13 hours of daily sunlight. She cannot stay away from historical sites. 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. Call toll free. The grass on the Moors gradually begins to fade to red and the trees come alive with shades of yellow, red, and orange. Bottlenose and common varieties tend to be seen with more frequency, whereas the other types of dolphin prefer to swim and hunt in deeper waters. The cool waters surrounding Scotland are the perfect habitat for the sleek marine mammal, with bottlenose, white-beaked and common dolphins all playing near our coastlines. Want to know more about us? Top Tip: Go early to secure a parking spot, this is a free experience in demand. While whales are most commonly spotted in the west of Scotland, cheeky and charming wild dolphins have primarily claimed the east coast of the country as their home. During some years when we are really lucky, we experience summer super early and can experience an incredible 21C/70F. Warmer temperatures bring lots of people out, both visitors and locals alike, hoping to take advantage of the warmer weather, longer days, and many fun things to do. Chase the Jacobite train and live your Harry Potter Dream. How did I have no idea you can see dolphins in Scotland??? Wildcats are the most difficult type of animal to encounter in Scotland, but if you ever happen to be hiking the bonny hills of Highland Scotland during the lovely golden season of Autumn be sure to keep a keen eye in the distance and you just may glimpse this rare animal out hunting in the wild. 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. It is perfect for families to take kids and pets here and they can play at the beach, watch the sea and ships while waiting for the dolphins. All Rights Reserved. Absolutely fantastic resource that you have created. The Cuckoo migrates to Scotland in April and this signals the beginning of the Spring season. THE 10 BEST Scotland Dolphin & Whale Watching Tours (with Salmon start to migrate to the Moray coast in spring and this continues into the summer, which attracts the Dolphins looking to feed. One of the biggest, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, takes place in October, but there are many other niche festivals as well. Another spot is Merkinch Nature reserve which has views over the Moray Firth. Chanonry Point is located between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle and has its own car park. Best Time of Year to Visit Scotland | Top Guide for Visitors Things to Do in Aberdeenshire Itinerary | VisitScotland In summer you can spot minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, Rissos dolphins, and short-beaked common dolphins. While summer is a great time to witness hinds (female deer) and calves run through the hills autumn provides an incredible opportunity to see Red Deer in their natural habitat and this is especially true for the male Stag Red Deer. 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. These are my top 4 spots for trying to spot dolphins in the Moray Firth: This is the best place to see dolphins near Inverness. WebAberdeenshire is a vast and scenic region, featuring many pretty towns, friendly communities, places to explore and fascinating attractions to visit. When summer comes around its time to celebrate the longer days and the sunnier months by replacing your spring clothing with thinner layers to deal with the hotter weather although if you plan to hike the hills of Scotland always pack for different seasons and keep warmer clothes in your backpack as there is always the possibility of a change in weather especially if you find yourself climbing high peaks. Humpback whales are not a species commonly seen in Scotland, but it is possible you may spot some swimming the seas around the north of Scotland and Shetland in the heart of the summer season. She has been exploring states of India since she was 15 and then around the world since she moved to the west in her 20s. Because we also have individual travel guides for more specific wildlife holidays, such as our safaris, bear watching and whale watching. In fact, nearly 90% of the countrys population resides in the Lowlands. This means that you have to get further away from the mainland to see them as theyre more likely to be closer to the open ocean. The images on this page, while not professional by any means (!!! Temperatures average in the upper 60s and low 70s (19-23C) during the summer months throughout most of the country, with the exception of the Highlands and other high-elevation areas. Thanks, Your email address will not be published. Now I need to go back *w*, Great discovery isnt it? WebBest place to see dolphins in Scotland (Dolphin watching) Chanonry point. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). It is a common stop off point for many on the North Coast 500 itinerary where you can catch a glimpse of some marine life. On duller days try F4 or faster if your lens will allow, 1/250 and ISO400. The best time to see them is when the tide begins to rise again after low tide. Keep up the Great work! Camping enthusiasts are in for a treat this summer, as some of the best campsites in Scotland have been revealed. 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. My favourite travel style is On the Road and I have perfected the art of road trip planning, covering multiple scenic and undiscovered routes around Europe, UK and USA. There is no absolute perfect time to travel to our beautiful country as it really depends on what you, as an individual, want out of your holiday. We compiled some handy resources of information about hiking in Scotland covering the different seasons of the year, so you can find out what travelling in Scotland is like during different months. you can keep an eye out for dolphins from the ramparts of the fort. 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. Its walkable and a lovely wee village too. I suggest heading into the village and parking up looking over the water. museums, Scotlands largest city, Glasgow, for family-friendly attractions, the impressive botanical garden, and the countrys best shopping, Cairngorms National Park, home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Scotland, Road-trip to Highland Perthshire (one of the most underrated areas of Scotland!) Exploring the Shiant Isles is another great way to see a colony of Puffins in their natural habitat within Scotland. While this can make it feel like youre racing against time to cram everything in, the shorter days offer more time to enjoy the night sky, plus potentially even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphins are found in higher densities here, especially around the Inner Hebrides. Really, spring and summer are a good to time to go dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth. However, summer is a fantastic time to go Dolphin watching along the Moray Firth as youll benefit from the lovely sunny days with hours of daylight stretching throughout the hours. Short-beaked common dolphins can be identified by a figure of eight on their flanks formed through distinctive yellow and white flashes around their dorsal fins.
