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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! These dolphins are hence the fattest in the world as they have extra fat to help them survive the cold. Summer brings festivals Edinburghs world-famous one comes to mind and long, light, late nights. Further south, between Moray Firth and Beauly Firth, and just north of Inverness, the shoreline at Kessock Bridge offers excellent dolphin-spotting opportunities. We checked the WillyWeather site before the night for the low tide time and reached the point at about 10 am when the low tide time was marked 9 am. Privacy Policy | Mailing List | Sitemap | Contact Us, Written by Chris Thornton | The grass on the Moors gradually begins to fade to red and the trees come alive with shades of yellow, red, and orange. No, legislation was passed in 1990 which basically outlawed controlled swimming with dolphins in the UK. Vow, the excitement was real and almost felt like seeing the whales when they were far away, but as promised they came really close to the land in their pods. If it's really bright, try 1/1000 to stop that action perfectly. According to the Met Office, the average highest temperature for the month of March in Scotland can be around 7C/45F. If youd prefer to scan the crest of an Atlantic wave patiently from a headland in Shetland or join a responsible small ship safari around the Hebrides then welcome. 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. 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. 6 Reasons to go Winter Walking in Scotland, VIDEO: Winter days in the Scottish Highlands, Winter Wildlife: How to Recognise Those Tracks, Search for Minke whales on an unforgettable hiking and wildlife adventure to the incredible. You could try swimming with wild dolphins at your own risk, but if they had young they might not like your presence amongst them. 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. Ultimate Fall Foliage Road Trip in Vermont: A Complete Itinerary, An EPIC Arizona to California Road Trip Itinerary, Spring Road Trip in Netherlands: Giethoorn & Flevoland Tulip Fields, 100 Best Road Trip Quotes: Funny, Thought Provoking and Inspiring, An Epic Las Vegas to Hoover Dam Road Trip: Lake Mead + Boulder City, The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: Things to Bring on a Road Trip Check List, Winter Bucket List for Travellers: 20 Fun Outdoor Activities in Winter, Ultimate Guide to Dolphin Watching in Inverness Scotland (Chanonry Point), The ULTIMATE Guide to Chasing Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, 13 Top Spring Break Destinations Around the World: Spring Bucket List for Travellers, Cromarty Firth- watch from the Cromarty bridge. It is thought that the warming of the water around the Hebrides is what is now attracting dolphins to the area. Comment. Scotland can be divided into three distinct regions: the northern Highlands, the southern Uplands, and the central Lowlands. Dolphins The best time of year to watch dolphins in Scotland is in July. Coronation Street actress Barbara Young dies aged 92, Nurses strike continues: Major disruption for NHS services in England, Additional flight to evacuate Britons from Sudan today, Ryanair cancels 220 flights over May 1 bank holiday due to strikes, Hardcore coronation fans already camped outside Buckingham Palace, One dead and seven injured in Cornwall nightclub knife attack. Divers can see them while scuba divingin many of Scotland's coastal areas, but it is rare. As May is at the tail end of spring, expect to see a glimpse of summer with warmer temperatures averaging 12C/55F. Indeed, Scotland is more seasonal than many other European destinations, so it pays to consider the best time to visit before your trip. On average there are 38 days of snow in Scotland, with 26 days of settled snow on the ground. The mammals can be seen dodging boats from Torry Battery, an old military fort that still overlooks the harbour entrance. This file is auto-generated */ !function(c,d){"use strict";var e=!1,n=!1;if(d.querySelector)if(c.addEventListener)e=!0;if(c.wp=c.wp||{},!c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage)if(c.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if(t)if(t.secret||t.message||t.value)if(!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var r,a,i,s=d.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),n=d.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=0;oDolphins in Scotland, where to see Moray Firth Dolphins! Its walkable and a lovely wee village too. 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. go dolphin spotting near Inverness One of the biggest, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, takes place in October, but there are many other niche festivals as well. Readers ask: Where To See Orcas In Scotland Autumn is a time of colourful landscapes and glowing skies. Moray Firth in Inverness also offers boat tours for dolphin watching. Imagine seeing all of them in one day! A pair of Dolphins stopping by the boat to say hello to Wilderness Scotland travellers. 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. com. Summer may be the best time to visit Scotland if youre after the warmest months or want to experience one of the many outdoor festivals like The Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. If you manage to catch them at these feeding grounds you are in for a treat and many photo opportunities. You should not miss the perfect chance to see the dolphins here One of the Free Scottish Wildlife Experience. We have already booked the same dates for next year as we want to do all of the Outer Hebrides (we only did Lewis this year.) This vast area, including the islands off the northern coast, encompasses about half of Scotlands total land mass. Pin this post to plan your dolphin watching adventures! 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. There is something immensely heartening about watching a vast animal protrude from the surface of the water before disappearing back into the blue. Ive only passed by Inverness once and that was on the way to Skye, so I had no idea you could see dolphins here! 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! Sightings Explore the countrys many castles and ruins, Visit the botanical gardens in either Glasgow or Edinburgh to experience the gorgeous spring bloom, Try out (or watch!) Cuckoos also journey to the rest of the UK when spring arrives, but the majority seem to take residence in Scotland with the Highlands being their favourite part of the country to settle. Explore Scotlands more than 1,500 castles. Worst Taskmaster Contestants: Here are the 10 most unsuccessful Taskmaster contestants of all time - from Victoria Coren Mitchell to David Baddiel. Best Time Where is the best place to see dolphins in the Moray Firth? Theres also a cafe to get some food while youre watching. Learn more about the great Cuckoo from Wilderness Expert Jonathan Willet. Accommodations are slightly cheaper compared to summer and the swarms of midges are much less prevalent. And dont forget to pick up a guide book! Killer whales (or Orcas) have a very distinctive black and white appearance and are very large creatures in fact, they are the largest member of the Dolphin family. best time to visit Scotland The car park at Chanonry Point is often very busy if you can't get a space try parking in one of the nearby villages and walking over. There are a few places in Lerwick, on Shetland, where you can take a boat out and look for dolphins, although these are usually more inclined towards bird watching. If you fancy driving to Chanonry Point from Fort George, it will take you 45 minutes via the Kessock Bridge, Inverness. Even in the height of summer, it rarely exceeds 80F (27C) in most Scotland cities. Yes you should be able to theres the beach to walk along and its dog friendly as well as a footpath. 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!) You really need a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens between 200-400 mm. Although it is possible to see them from most headlands, many sightings are reported from Neist Point. Scotland does experience a rainy winter, but again, the temperatures are mild enough that its manageable. There is nothing more satisfying than the crunching of snow under your boots when out for a wintery walk. The best places to spot these impressive mammals in Scotland is around the Inner Hebrides and Skye. We use cookies on our website, by using the site your are consenting to essential cookies. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "acf2f96a382fe896d761bf31a857c670" );document.getElementById("cd1d15c3cb").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi there! Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about trip news, blogs and offers. Before hiking Scotland in autumn you should prepare for summer weather as well as autumn weather remember to pack layers of clothing in your rucksack as it could be warm like a summers day, but later on in the day could become colder and youll need to be ready to add layers should the weather decide to change. 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. If anything, it could be a reason to visit. Sea life fans staying on Lewis, Harris, North or South Uist, Eriskay, Berneray, Barra and Vatersay can take boat trips to spot marine mammals. Sightings further out in the Firth of Forth are common. It is best to check the tide time of the day you are visiting to increase your chances of seeing the dolphins. If you spot a few deerwhen exploring on an outdoor hiking adventure then take note of how they compare in size to one another. Spring is an excellent time to spot Red Squirrels in Scotland. Learn about what a Scottish summer is like. Although rare, surprise spring snow storms do sneak in occasionally, so pack and dress accordingly, prepared for a bit of fresh powder. The countryside transitions from vibrant green to breath-taking purple as the heather blooms. Yeh me neither Hannah, but that was my best discovery as I really enjoyed seeing dolphins from the land in Inverness. Its possible to spot dolphins all along the east coast, particularly in the Cromarty and Moray Firths. Keep an eye out for them scrambling up trees or catch a glimpse of red fur high in the branches above you as they elegantly dance through the air. Commons Seals are a rather diverse bunch and vary in colour from blond to black, but in general, they are normally grey coloured with dark spots. Head out and immerse yourself in Scotlands landscape when it is blanketed in snow and sparkly. Carry on up the A832 to the historic town of Cromarty and near the harbour there is EcoVentures, a superb 5 star Dolphin and wildlife watching boat trip that can whisk you out into the Cromarty Firth and beyond on their two Rigid Inflatable Craft where dolphins, seabird colonies and possibly a whale or two could be enjoyed! READ: Scotland road Trip Itinerary for 2 weeks in Scottish Highlands. Visitors please sign in here to access your membership benefits. Atlantic white-sided dolphins are very pretty and stylish, with darker dorsal fins fading to light grey and white along the flanks and underbelly, tempered by yellow flashes splashed along the rear of their flanks. Sturdy, preferably waterproof hiking shoes or boots, The Highlands for unforgettable leaf-peeping in the most dramatic setting, Edinburghs many museums and historical sites have notably fewer crowds in the fall, Eat your way through Glasgow, one of the best cities for traditional Scottish comfort meals, Glencoe National Nature Reserve shows off some of the most stunning Scottish nature, Explore Aberdeenshire for the countless castles and history sans crowds. We were traveling by car as we were on a road trip and initially when we arrived it was disheartening as all the parking spots were taken, but then a couple left and we managed to get a space. In our opinion, the best time to visit Scotland is during the spring or fall, with a few exceptions. Located in Caithness on the NC500, experience Scottish Gin & Vodka, handcrafted with Highland Botanicals. Get yourself some food from one of the local establishments theres a cafe, fish and chips and a small shop too and park yourself on a bench to see if you can find any dolphins! Really, spring and summer are a good to time to go dolphin spotting in the Moray Firth. Thanks, Your email address will not be published. October, as well as September, is a time when fewer people travel to Scotland, as spring and summer are seen as the time to travel by many, but autumn should never be underestimated you will see some amazing sights that only autumn can provide! Tell us in the comments section. Tripods will likely be too slow to "get the shot", you could try a monopod but the best way is handheld, give those upper arms a workout! You can see Chris's personal photography portfolio on flickr.com/colourjam. 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. Ive watched a photographer ruin his kit as hed not moved it in time! Tessa from our Travel Team spent five hours watching a pod of orcas swimming around the coastline of Shetland in July. The truth is that there are many different reasons to visit Scotland all year round! There are a few different places where you can do dolphin watching near Inverness they are seen around the Moray Firth which is the river estuary leading out to the North Sea. Best Time of Year to Visit Scotland | Top Guide for Visitors There is something quite magical about dolphin watching, you are dealing with an incredibly intelligent animal and the Moray Firth dolphins are bigger than normal bottlenose dolphins making their jumps and playful nature all the more impressive. for postcard-worthy scenery, several easy hikes, and charming Victorian towns. The North sea area of Scotland is filled with Salmon. After waiting for almost two hours, we started to see dolphins appear. Further onto the Black Isle, coming off the A9 trunk road at the B9161 Munlochy road then onto the A832 you come through the towns of Avoch and then Fortrose, Fortrose has a mile long peninsula jutting out into the sea from the town itself called Chanonry Point, and from the beach in front of the Lighthouse you can often see the local dolphins hunting salmon a few metres away in the fast, deep and turbulent water around the very tip of the Point on a rising or flooding tide its amazing. There are some nice facilities here including a cafe, gift shop and toilet and a superb exhibition. In Chanonry Point in Fortrose and in the North Kessock village, you will find lots of photographers and locals waiting for few hours at the beach around the tide time to capture the dolphins. Click on one of the links below to find out more: Hiking the remote location of Knoydart during the month of Spring. A greater range of species can be encountered by the dolphin-spotter who ventures further north than Dundee or Aberdeen. Still, there are certain times of year youll want to plan your trip around (and some youll want to avoid!) Another spot is Merkinch Nature reserve which has views over the Moray Firth. This below ship when emerged which reminded me of many stories including the Norwegian Vikings, Copenhagen, Portugal, and even India. Rosemarkie is also a good place to stay if you want to be close by to dolphin spotting, perhaps if youre a photographer wanting to visit often. April tends to be a warmer month than March as the average temperature rises to approximately 10C/50F. Spring and fall offer the opportunity for a more affordable trip with fewer crowds, but with access to many of the same experiences. A pod of Killer Whales (Orcas) submerge from the sea during one of our wilderness holidays. Lastly, there are plenty of compelling reasons to visit Scotland in the winter. Great info, thanks! Some stock photography is used. Most of the land watching spots for dolphins are located in this area. Undoubtedly, the best way to see these wee creatures is to travel to the famous island of St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides which is home to Scotlands largest single colony of seabirds and an incredible estimated 270,000 birds are scattered across the island! Its a great time to witness incredibly diverse wildlife that gives such bold life to the jaw-dropping landscapes of the Highlands as many creatures make their presence known and others migrate back to Scotland as the climate warms up after winter. WebMay, June and July are the best months to watch dolphins off the coastlines of the Azores, Ireland, Egypt, Madeira, Fiji, Newfoundland and Jersey with several of these locations still providing ideal conditions into August and September. But keep in mind that there is truly plenty to enjoy year-round in this stunning, welcoming country. Sign up for the mailing list and receive this free travel itinerary. Camping enthusiasts are in for a treat this summer, as some of the best campsites in Scotland have been revealed. This annual holiday honors the Patron Saint of Scotland with mega celebrations of all things Scottish. Puffins make great swimmers so expect a multitude of them and other seabirds gracefully riding the waves beside your boat. Minke whales Visiting Scotland in April you will be welcomed with lovely colours of green leaves as the trees are now in bud. You can expect a mix of clear blue skies and cloudy grey days during winter in Scotland, with occasional rain, snow and ice. Boats arent restricted to certain times to see the dolphins as they can find them wherever they are. Dolphins, whales & basking sharks in Scotland During what season did you visit and what was your experience like? A large number of them can be seen around the coast of Scotland, but the best areas to find them are places such as the Hebridean Islands, West Coast Scotland, Shetland and the Orkney Isles. In late October, the days start to become noticeably shorter, with 10-13 hours of daily sunlight. 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. Where and when to see marine wildlife in Scotland What are Cloud Inversions and Why Are They So Beautiful? They are always found in groups called dolphin pods and are renowned for being playful. Dolphins