Moray Firth Dolphins

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 bottlenosed dolphins of the Moray Firth are perhaps the most famous cetacean species in the northern waters ÔÇô it is estimated that there are approximately 130 dolphins in the pod.

Chanonry Point, between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle is reputed to be the best place to see dolphins from the shore.
Dolphins at Chanonry Point can be seen at anytime (and not at all!) but the best time to see them is usually on a rising tide. From around 1 hour after low tide, the tide turns and dolphins start to chase fish in. If you are lucky enough to see dolphins, you'll often be incredibly close and only a matter of metres from them as they feed in the channel. To make it easier for you to plan the best times to go to spot dolphins, download the Inverness Tide Times for the whole year (2015) complete with guidance notes on how you can calculate good dolphin watching times at Chanonry Point on any particular day.

You can also stop on your way to Chanonry Point to visit the WDCS Dolphin And Seal Centre, which lies just north of the main bridge from Inverness on the A9 (open between 1st June and 30th September). A great spot for looking out over the Firth, there are also videos, displays and underwater microphones.

If you are on a tight schedule during your time at Loch Ness, why not kill two birds with one stone? Directly opposite Chanonry Point is the large 18th Century Fortress, Fort George. Enjoy a walk around this impressive fortress, which is still a working army garrison, and watch the dolphins from the ramparts.
Share this page