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. And cooler temperatures also mercifully drive away the infamous midges and other biting insects that tend to swarm during the warmer months. Winter is still a good time for some low level walking in the Highlands. Thanks, Your email address will not be published. This site contains affiliate links and as such any purchases or bookings made after clicking may earn me a commission. When March approaches the temperature in Scotland begins to rise and the cold winter chill fades away. You can see them jumping in the air, frolicking and being playful they are truly a joy to see! Many seasonal businesses that close for winter reopen in late March or early April, which coincides perfectly with the days starting to get longer. The warmer temperatures and smaller crowds make spring a great time to explore while also saving on accommodations. Home Blog United Kingdom Best Time to Visit Scotland: When to Go & When to Avoid! This vast area, including the islands off the northern coast, encompasses about half of Scotlands total land mass. Rare NC500 Bumblebees need your help, 5 spectacular waterfalls to visit along the NC500. Absolutely fantastic resource that you have created. The Scottish Highlands are truly wild; its one of the least densely populated areas in all of Europe! Our dolphin watching holiday companies have shared their top dolphin watching advice to help you plan your trip. Hi Kirsty is it possible to walk our dog all the way from Rosemarkie to Chanonry point? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Summit Ben Nevis in the Highlands, the highest mountain in all of the UK, or explore some shorter waterfall trails. Go wildlife watching in Scotland without tying yourself to just spotting dolphins. Do not take this to be fact! Experience the magic of traditional European Christmas markets and winter festivals. Summer brings festivals Edinburghs world-famous one comes to mind and long, light, late nights. Pods often travel up this way after visiting Chanonry Point, and Kessock Bridge has the added benefit of being much more peaceful than that more famous viewing spot. More info in our. Now I need to go back *w*, Great discovery isnt it? Learn about the actual weather of Scotland, discover stunning wildlife that lives in the hills and blue seas, appreciate the changing colours of the seasons, feel the beauty of our beaches and enjoy incredible landscapes all in this handy hiking guide where you can learn just when is the best time to hike in Scotland, for yourself. What time of year is best to see whales in Scotland? Most of the snow falls in northern mountainous areas like the Cairngorms, Glencoe and Torridon. The activity map is also available. Although rare, surprise spring snow storms do sneak in occasionally, so pack and dress accordingly, prepared for a bit of fresh powder. 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. If you dont want to be bothered about parking or are not visiting by car, or dont want to walk far, you can take a Dolphin shuttle bus to Chanonry point. 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. During August and the last (official) month of summer the hours in the day lessen, but we still bask in 15 16 hours of daylight, so there is still plenty of light to savour whilst hiking the stunning landscapes of Scotland. Explore Scotlands more than 1,500 castles. For those who would like the chance of seeing dolphins but dont have transport this tour from Inverness might be worth considering and includes other local sights as well. Hope you go see them one day. 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. If you fancy exploring the Scottish Highlands and want to make the most of the long stretches of daylight then visiting here in the summer months is definitely an amazing time to embark on an unforgettable adventure holiday. 1-866-821-6866 . Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "acf2f96a382fe896d761bf31a857c670" );document.getElementById("cd1d15c3cb").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi there! What permits do I need? A Minke Whale decides to swim alongside a group as if it thought the boat was part of its pod. Puffins make great swimmers so expect a multitude of them and other seabirds gracefully riding the waves beside your boat. Dolphins are very intelligent and playful creatures they are always fascinating and engaging to watch! They can be seen throughout the year, although they may be more visible in the spring and summer when the sea is calm. 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! Dolphins are incredibly intelligent, delightfully playful and able to inspire happiness in anyone who sees or swims with them. Different species of dolphin frequent the west coast of Scotland, as well as the Scottish Isles.