Spring weather is mild, but the days are lengthening and consistently drier. Yeh me neither Hannah, but that was my best discovery as I really enjoyed seeing dolphins from the land in Inverness. Summer is also a period where our multitude of brightly coloured flowers flourish in the warmth. The warmest months of Summer in Scotland are likely to be July and August where we enjoy an average temperature of 19 C/66F each year. You can watch these amazing dolphins hunting and playing from shore or from well behaved, award winning tour boats the choice is yours. 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. Latest species sightings This is a map of all cetacean (whale, dolphin and porpoise) sightings recorded in the North East Atlantic by our ORCA Marine Mammal surveyors over the last decade. The central Lowlands are home to both fertile farmland and almost all of Scotlands larger cities. The majority of Red Deer can be found roaming around the mountainsides, hills and glens in the Highlands of Scotland and scattered throughout places such as the jaw-dropping landscapes ofAssynt, but a fair number of these majestic creatures can also be found populating the tranquil Hebridean Islands of Arran, Jura and Rum. They were swimming close by for over 1 hour while we were there and we had to leave to see other attractions but trust me, I wished I could just watch them all day. Rare NC500 Bumblebees need your help, 5 spectacular waterfalls to visit along the NC500. National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. During Autumn the Scottish climate begins to cool, the days shorten, and the leaves turn into a lovely golden brown colour. This could possibly be because they migrate from Iceland and Norway in the summer and set sail to the coasts of North-West Africa in the winter and would have to pass Scotland to reach their destination. Summer is definitely the high season in Scotland. 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. Even though August is the last month of summer the average temperature stays the same as June and July so in August you can still look forward to many hours of daylight and a fantastically warm sun shining over the hills and the Glens. ), Layers to stay comfortable in temperatures between 40-60F (4-15C), Waterproof shoes or boots to protect your feet from melting snow, Trekking poles to help with stability and traction on muddy hiking trails. In these regions, you can take boat tours to see dolphins swim in the sea. In the Cairngorm mountains, you can expect to see some remnants of snow still remaining from the winter months even duringMay. It is not only very budget-friendly but purely an extraordinary experience. Choose an area to see article indexes from other parts of Scotland. The Western Isles, Scotland The Western Isles of Scotland is another great place for Whale Watching. The grass on the Moors gradually begins to fade to red and the trees come alive with shades of yellow, red, and orange. She cannot stay away from historical sites. Bottlenose dolphin Since its so close to Inverness its good if you dont have your own transport. Absolutely fantastic resource that you have created. for postcard-worthy scenery, several easy hikes, and charming Victorian towns. Worst Taskmaster Contestants: Here are the 10 most unsuccessful Taskmaster contestants of all time - from Victoria Coren Mitchell to David Baddiel. They have unusually large brains, 4 to 5 times larger than an animal of their size and yes their brains are bigger than ours! 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. If you have time to discover more of the country, dont miss these epic places to visit in Scotland. 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. menu. Just across the water, you can get an entirely different perspective on the Moray Firth from the shores of 18th century fortress, Fort George. If you manage to catch them at these feeding grounds you are in for a treat and many photo opportunities. How to see dolphins near Inverness in Scotland: plus when the The Atlantic Puffin is similar to its north Pacific relative, The Horned Puffin, but can be easily distinguished by a steel-blue triangle located on the base of its beak. 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. In March expect 93 hours of sunshine for the whole month, allowing a good amount of daylight to explore the beauty of the Scottish outdoors each and every day. Imagine seeing all of them in one day! 33 Famous landmarks in London which one is new to you. Red Deer are Scotlands largest land mammal and are also the biggest of the deer family they are a huge icon of Scotland and the Stag has become a symbol of the Highlands famous Speyside Glenfiddich Whisky. According to the Met Office, the average highest temperature for the month of March in Scotland can be around 7C/45F. Dolphins, whales & basking sharks in Scotland 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. Spring is also fantastic for road-tripping through Scotland. Hike to some waterfalls and enjoy the fall foliage. WebChanonry Point is a popular tourist spot outside of Inverness. Since the 1980s they have been protected by UK law and ever since they have been gradually rising in numbers. 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. National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. Best Time of Year to Visit Scotland | Top Guide for Visitors you can keep an eye out for dolphins from the ramparts of the fort. Since its the other side of Chanonry Point keep an eye on tide times around low tide and an hour after could be good. The dolphins come to this point as its where the firth meets the sea and theres a natural bottleneck. 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. 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. The North sea area of Scotland is filled with Salmon. You can see them jumping in the air, frolicking and being playful they are truly a joy to see! They came right up to the side of the boat, I looked one right in the eye, it was looking me up and down, definitely a clever and inquisitive animal, a cut above anything else swimming in the sea. Dolphins are incredibly intelligent, delightfully playful and able to inspire happiness in anyone who sees or swims with them. In fact, nearly 90% of the countrys population resides in the Lowlands. Find out more about Chris on the about page. 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! The rugged southern Uplands form Scotlands 110-mile-long border with England. Call toll free. Best In late October, the days start to become noticeably shorter, with 10-13 hours of daily sunlight. WebThe best time to see minke whales in Scotland is from the end of May to September. Scotland gets a bit of a bad rap when it comes to weather. Different species of dolphin frequent the west coast of Scotland, as well as the Scottish Isles. In the Azores, pods tend to be largest in these months, and you may also see a few cute calves. Winter in Scotland is the low season for tourism, but dont let that dissuade you from visiting. Scotlands winter wildlife How to See Them. As winter fades and the warmer weather of spring emerges, the snow begins to melt, animals poke their heads out, and the countryside greens up and comes alive again. Two Wandering Soles Copyright 2023. The best time of day to see dolphins at Chanonry Point near Inverness is when the tide is rising. Harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphins are found in higher densities here, especially around the Inner Hebrides. 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. 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. Some of my top recommendations include: Inverness is also a major location for those who are aiming for their ultimate Scottish highland experience, seeing as many lochs, driving the scenic NC500 route, or even chasing some of the top Harry Potter destinations. The most common and well known place is Chanonry Point near the village of Rosemarkie on the Black Isle (not an island you can drive there!). This below ship when emerged which reminded me of many stories including the Norwegian Vikings, Copenhagen, Portugal, and even India. Still not guaranteed but can definitely provide a different perspective and experience! There is also a high chance that they will make an appearance during May at the end of Spring, but Summer is really the best time to sight them. Its thought that the Moray Firth bottlenose dolphin population is around 200 making this group the most northerly in the World. Youll see temperatures around the low 60s (16-18C) throughout most of fall, so its a perfect time to get outside and enjoy this countrys spectacular nature. People said we had better than normal weather. Located in Caithness on the NC500, experience Scottish Gin & Vodka, handcrafted with Highland Botanicals. Plan your trip around touring medieval castles, explore the famous Scottish Highlands, or stick to the cities and sample the local whiskey culture. Killer whales are part of the Dolphin family and are usually seen in the Summer months mainly during June and July although there is a strong possibility to sight these massive mammals during the month of August. Please click the map to see article indexes from other areas. Many of these locations are within 1-hour walking distance within the Inverness city center. What time of year is best to see whales in Scotland? The weather was really bad and windy, and I still curse myself for not taking an action camera with me as getting stable footage was nearly impossible. We were there last 2 weeks of Aug, first two weeks of Sept this year. 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. 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). 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!) If you are looking for a hiking adventure with a difference then visiting Scotland in autumn is truly otherworldly. 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. Required fields are marked *. //-->//>