Wildlife Watching

A famous spot for a spot of dolphin spotting

The sea around the Black Isle is nowadays world famous for its dolphin spotting possibilities – yes, you heard right… dolphins! There are around 200 Bottlenose dolphins that live in the chilly waters of the Moray Firth and around the East Coast of Scotland all year round. Half of this population are seen regularly along the Black Isle coastline, especially in the spring and summer months. You can watch these amazing dolphins hunting and playing from the beaches or from award winning tour boats – the choice is yours.

Spotting the local Bottlenose dolphins is a regular treat from the seafront village of North Kessock, just across the water from Inverness. The dolphins are also regularly seen in the fast tide in front of the Aurorabearealis Art & Craft Studio – where you can also get wildlife watching advice such as tide times (very important for dolphin watching). Alongside the dolphins, the sharp eyed amongst you might also spot local Seals, Otters, Red Kites and even Ospreys at certain times of the year.

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. From the beach at Chanory Point right in front of the Lighthouse when it is rising or flooding tide you can often see the local dolphins hunting salmon just a few metres off shore – it’s amazing and unique experience!

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 can be spotted!