The bottlenose dolphins of the moray firth are probably the fattest. The most recent population studies seem to indicate a stable or very slightly increasing population with numbers recently revised from individuals in the colony to approximately 200. Moray firth in scotland is one of the best places in the country to see the oceans most playful creature the dolphin. Our dolphin spotting adventure was 90 minutes well spent, and even better the boy left a fully fledged skipper. Not surprisingly, dolphins are often peoples favourite animal with their intelligence, beauty and apparent sense of fun. The moray firth is home to a resident colony of 150 bottle nose dolphins, plus porpoise seal and the occasional orca or minke whale. The scottish dolphin centre is run by wdc, whale and dolphin conservation. One of our personal favourites, perhaps because we dont see them very often, is the shy little harbour porpoise. Moray firth dolphins scottish highlands chanonry point. About us scottish dolphin centre spey bay, moray firth. Sc040231 dedicated to the protection of whales and dolphins. The moray firth stretches out before you for about 7 miles with the black isle in the distance. The moray firth is home to the most northerly colony of bottlenose dolphins in the world and this is one of only two resident populations in the uk.
Aug 30, 20 footage taken at fortrose beach chanonry point in scotland of bottlenose dolphins passing by and enjoying life. As used by dolphin spotters, photographers and tourists on the moray firth to forecast the best times to spot dolphins. The dolphins in the moray firth are common bottlenose dolphins tursiops truncatus. Moray firth dolphins and marine life recent sightings.
The bottlenosed dolphins of the moray firth are perhaps the most famous cetacean species in the northern waters it is estimated that there are. Wildlife in scotland dolphins in the moray firth youtube. As used by dolphin spotters, photographers and tourists on the moray firth to forecast the best times to spot dolphins in the chanonry point area. Our vision is a world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free. Jul 26, 2016 dolphins at moray firth a must experience while in scotland when i was preparing to move to scotland in 2012, i quickly bought a national geographic guide to my adoptive country. The moray firth is one of the best places in the uk to see dolphins, and the chances of seeing them up close are greatly improved with taking to the water.
Experts estimate that around bottlenose dolphins live in the moray firth. Marine connection warmly welcomes the news that the number of bottlenose dolphins in the moray firth special area of conservation sac off the coast of scotland remains stable. There are almost two hundred bottlenose dolphins living in the moray firth and they swim past chanonry point almost every day. There is a well know spot on the moray firth where the dolphins appear just. As well as the possibility of seeing dolphins, theres lots of birdlife from oyster catchers to soaring herring gulls. An cuan moireach, linne mhoireibh or caolas mhoireibh is a roughly triangular inlet or firth of the north sea, north and east of inverness, which is in the highland council area of north of scotland. If you want to see dolphins from land, this is the place to be. Mar 28, 2018 marine connection warmly welcomes the news that the number of bottlenose dolphins in the moray firth special area of conservation sac off the coast of scotland remains stable. Moray firth, chanonry point, a small pebble beach in the north of scotland.
If youre thinking about a revitalising new year break in the greater speyside area or youre just looking for new places to explore, here are some coastal gems waiting to be discovered. May 27, 2016 a pod of killer whales have been pictured off the scottish coast in a rare sighting. Moray firth dolphins guidebook, inverness chanonry point tide times. Dolphin spirit inverness 2020 all you need to know before you. Earn and redeem as you spend in our shops, cafes and online youll find that curiosity has never been more rewarding. Background bottlenose dolphins are listed in annex ii of the e.
The moray firth dolphins are probably one of the biggest free visitor attractions near inverness. Mar 22, 2019 announcing the 2019 season opening sailings for dolphin spirit and dolphin mischief. Images taken by pippa low capture a group of the animals which had travelled from iceland to the moray firth. Planning to go dolphin spotting at on the moray firth. Perhaps the best trip however is with ecoventures in cromarty.
You are currently browsing the official wdc shop website. Digital files supplied for brochures magazines books postcards internet wildlife. If you look at a map, the moray firth is the biggest bite or. Habitats directive, and the moray firth csac is one of two uk areas that have been proposed as. Charlie phillips works for whale and dolphin conservation. It had loads to say about the culture and even more suggestions about what to see and visit, from haggis to ceilidhing and from castles to dolphins. The moray firth dolphins that you see most commonly are the bottlenose dolphin and the harbour porpoise. Dolphin and wildlife boat trips, moray firth, inverness. You can find bottlenose dolphins in various locations around the moray firth area. Moray firth doilphins bottlenose, porpoise, minke whale. Rosemarkie camping and caravan club fortrose post office avoch post office findhorn phoenix community store and beach cafe north 58.
The inner moray firth is a special area of conservation sac designated in part to protect the areas population of bottlenose dolphins through the eu habitats directive. Scotlands bottlenose dolphins the party animals scottish field. The report by scottish natural heritage snh shows around 200 dolphins call the coastal north sea home, with more than half frequently using the moray firth. Dolphin spotting on the moray firth with dolphin spirit. Enjoy beautiful walks along the tumultuous river spey, spot a seal or osprey, and discover spey bays fishing heritage during a tour of the historic icehouse. How to plan the ultimate dolphinspotting trip in the uk the. Page selling pdf books including inverness chanonry point tide times and a guidebook to the moray firth dolphins. Dolphins at moray firth a must experience while in scotland when i was preparing to move to scotland in 2012, i quickly bought a national geographic guide to my adoptive country. Sue gave an interesting commentary throughout, about the local area, places to visit and the wildlife of the moray firth. How big is the population of bottlenose dolphins in the moray firth. Moray firth dolphins guidebook, inverness chanonry point. Announcing the 2019 season opening sailings for dolphin spirit and dolphin mischief. There are thought to be approximately dolphins living in this part of scotland and they can be seen in the moray firth all year round.
They live in groups of between 10 and 30 individuals. The moray firth is a very special place home to one of only three resident bottlenose dolphin populations in the united kingdom. Whales and dolphins find their food by a locomotion b relocation c echolocation 2. We have been monitoring dolphins in the moray firth sac for many years and its been wonderful to see stability in their. Troup head is worth a mention in this guide as, in addition to the possibility of spotting the moray firth dolphins it has wonderful birdlife. The film was invariably captured on cold and windy days even in summer. Moray firth spectacular seaside villages, dolphins and a. Scottish natural heritage is the governments advisor on all aspects of nature and landscape across scotland. It is the aim of this group to assist in logging actual dolphin sightings in the moray firth along with images if possible. Moray firth dolphins trips and wildlife tours come and enjoy the famous moray firth dolphins, wildlife and stunning coastal scenery on a moray firth dolphin trip and marine tour, sailing 3 times daily aboard the beautiful ex clyde class lifeboat the gemini explorer. A pod of killer whales have been pictured off the scottish coast in a rare sighting.
Sep 21, 2005 moray firth in scotland is one of the best places in the country to see the oceans most playful creature the dolphin. Dolphin spirit inverness 2020 all you need to know before. Visit the wdc scottish dolphin centre for the chance to see the amazing bottlenose dolphins of the moray firth. The moray firths population of bottlenose dolphins remains stable. Moray firth dolphins from wdc shop 100% of profits go to protect whales and dolphins.
Fort george is an excellent place to see the moray dolphins although you will need to pay an entrance fee to the fort its situated approximately metres from chanonry point across the moray firth although by land it is a 25 mile journey from fort george to chanonry point. Footage taken at fortrose beach chanonry point in scotland of bottlenose dolphins passing by and enjoying life. Feb 20, 2010 this film is a combination of several visits. If you look at a map, the moray firth is the biggest bite or inlet on the east coast of scotland. He spotted the dolphins at chanonry point near elgin, moray a popular site for seeing the animals. Moray firth dolphins the wild and unpolluted seas are more than just a blue backdrop to fine scenery they offer a good chance to see wildlife such as whales, dolphins and most commonly, seals. The moray firth, it might just be coastal perfection the scottish coastline from inverness to peterhead at first might seem a little tame to those who love the fjordlike dramatics of the west coast, but with picturesque harbour villages, waves crashing over towering sea cliffs, huge swathes of beach, incredible changing light and not forgetting a famous soup after recently spending a. Even before we ask if moray is in the highlands of scotland we need to ask. Wdc has supported research work and vital conservation efforts to protect the bottlenose dolphins in the moray firth in scotland for over 25 years. Set high on steep cliffs there are great views overlooking the moray firth. Nov 28, 2014 the moray coast is a treasure trove of stunning seascapes. Even without dolphins our cruise would have been enjoyable. The opportunity to see the moray dolphins in their natural habitat is compelling and this independent guide sets out to give some information.
Portknockie is a clifftop village overlooking the moray firth in ne scotland, midway between aberdeen and inverness. Moray firth bottlenose dolphin numbers stable says snh. Having been out of the water for a winter refit, she returns to the moray firth, ready to give you hours of exciting dolphin watching. As a result of this designation, scottish natural heritage snh has a responsibility to report on the condition of bottlenose dolphins within the moray firth sac every six years. An educational, fun boat tour on the largest tour boat on the moray firth. Hopeman seahorses spey bay whale and dolphin centre. Early settlement at this location is suggested by the remains of iron age and pictish fortifications that have been found on a promontory that shelters the harbour known as the green castle.
Special dolphin watching boat trips run throughout the summer months leaving from inverness and avoch. One of the few places in the uk you can see dolphins right up close. There are currently in the region of 200 dolphins in the moray firth and north east scotland, and half of these are frequently seen close to. Way forward sought over moray firth dolphins and development. Killer whales spotted on calm night in the moray firth.
Harbour seals are also a common sight, hauled out on mudbanks and sandy shores. Use the bottlenose dolphins of the moray firth poster to answer these questions. Since the coast of moray firth is mostly made up of cliff areas, it makes for an excellent viewing spot up. While on board you will have the opportunity to possibly see otters, seals, red kites, ospreys, herons and, with a stroke of luck, the resident bottlenose.
Site condition monitoring of bottlenose dolphins within the. May 14, 2008 it is the aim of this group to assist in logging actual dolphin sightings in the moray firth along with images if possible. Occasionally you will catch a glimpse of the common dolphin as well as the minke whale. While whales are most commonly spotted in the west of scotland, cheeky and charming wild dolphins have primarily claimed the east coast of. Dolphin spirit will take to the waters of the moray firth on monday 1st april. Take a trip on land or sea to watch this amazing creature.
It may seem that this is just another dolphin group and why do we need yet another one but hopefully this site will benefit other flickr groups by raising awareness of the issues surrounding the moray firth dolphins. Apr 27, 2017 even without dolphins our cruise would have been enjoyable. Further out, harbour porpoises, whitebeaked dolphins, minke whales, pilot whales and killer whales can sometimes be seen. Puffins and other seabirds are also regularly spotted. Your personal guide will give you insightful commentary about the local wildlife, history. Mar 27, 2018 the moray firth s population of bottlenose dolphins remains stable. Where to go dolphin watching in inverness culture trip. Charlies beautiful new book about the dolphins of the moray firth. The dolphins often leap clear of the water close to the shore. Visiting the wales and dolphins of scotland whaletrips.
Your personal guide will give you insightful commentary about the local wildlife, history, folklore and attractions. We have been monitoring dolphins in the moray firth sac for many years and its been wonderful to see stability in. The moray coast is a treasure trove of stunning seascapes. Dolphins and seals of the moray firth inverness wildlife. Visit the moray firth and moray coast dolphin watching in. This lavishly illustrated book gives an insight into their world and that of the other marine. With support from the born free foundation and a network of international supporters and volunteers, the crru directs a rigorous research programme studying the ecology of the 200 or so bottlenose dolphins that occur along the east coast of scotland. First of all, its a chunk of scotland that has a portion of the moray firth on its northern coastline. A little local knowledge goes a long way, and the dolphin tour cruises operating from inverness and. Although the dolphins tend to be the most frequently encountered and well known species in the firth, we do also often see other wildlife on our trips.
Being so far north means they tend to be larger and have thicker blubber than their southern counterparts. In fact taking a fairly short walk from the town centre means you can watch dolphins in inverness. Dolphins at moray firth a must experience while in scotland. Moray firth dolphin numbers stable marine connection. A little local knowledge goes a long way, and the dolphin tour cruises operating from inverness and other coastal towns are worth the risk of getting wet. Habitats directive, and the moray firth csac is one of two uk areas that have been proposed as part of the natura 2000 network for this species. Brodie countryfayre dornoch bookshop grantownonspey the bookmark.
We began by highlighting the moray firth dolphins, we now highlight the good, the bad and totally disgraceful ways that humans. Cromarty at the emporium, post office, ecoventures and courthouse museum. Given the width of the moray firth at this point, binoculars will increase your chances of spotting dolphins. See the moray firth dolphins bunchrew house hotel inverness. The moray firth dolphins are one of britains greatest wildlife spectacles. The moray firth dolphins are an important part of many tourists holiday.