From humpbacks to home baking, our young carers experienced it all!

For the first time in a number of years, we invited young carers on board to enjoy this hands-on experience, gain new skills and help deepen the understanding of marine mammal species.

From storm to survey: the final expedition of the 2025 season!

Over six days at sea, our intrepid team of citizen scientists surveyed waters around Mull and the Southern Hebrides following Storm Amy. Despite challenging conditions, our team surveyed over 400km of Hebridean waters encountering four species of marine mammal. Read all about their experiences here. . .

Developing skills in marine science: Kathryn’s work experience with HWDT

Kathryn joined our team in Tobermory to gain work experience in marine conservation. During her time, she has contributed to a range of activities that support our research and outreach work. In this blog, Kathryn reflects on her experience and the skills she has developed while being part of the Trust.

Guest Articles, Events & OutreachMorven Summers7 October 2025volunteering, work experience, working in a charity, how can I get experience in marine conservation, marine biology, marine education, work placement, gain experience, helping save whales, how people are helping

Criss-crossing the Minch: an Atlantic white sided surprise

Our latest research expedition aboard Silurian took us from Ullapool back and forth across the Minch. Over the course of the week, our team of citizen scientists documented five different marine mammal species, including Atlantic white sided dolphins - a rare sighting for Silurian!

Science & Research, SilurianEmma Steel3 October 2025marine mammals, marine mammal monitoring, marine expedition, expedition, experience in the field, expedition holiday, holiday with a difference, unique holiday

Acoustic insights: monitoring Scotland’s cetaceans on stormy seas

Over five days at sea, our intrepid team of citizen scientists surveyed waters around Ullapool through storms and swell, gathering vital visual and acoustic data. Read all about their experiences here. . .

How do we protect whales and dolphins in Marine Protected Areas?

Scotland’s seas are home to some of Europe’s most incredible wildlife, but understanding highly mobile species like whales and dolphins is challenging and there’s still much to learn.

Unexpected sightings this summer: Whale Track Summary

This summer has been full of ups, downs and phenomenal sightings. In our most recent Whale Track summary we round up what has been an unexpected summer of sightings.

©SeaLifeMull

Science & Research, SightingsSadie Gorvett24 September 2025whale watching, land based whale watching, Whale Track, sightings summary

Whale Track Stories: Minke Madness in the Minch

Recording excursions using Whale Track provides vital effort-based data on the presence and absence of whales in our waters. Andy Lawson, a member of the Whale Track community, shares his incredible excursion on aboard the MV Loch Seaforth ferry.

Sightings, Guest ArticlesSadie Gorvett22 September 2025marine mammals, what can you see, scotland, what can i see in Scotland, hebrides, Hebrides, wildlife, wildlife watching, minke whales, whale track stories, whale track, sightings

Thank you to our amazing 2025 Outreach Assistants!

2025s Outreach Assistants - Emily, Jess and Megan - reflect on their placement here on Mull and share some of their favourite experiences from volunteering with HWDT.

Siobhan Moran19 September 2025

“I’m having so much fun!”

Our popular floating classroom school visits provide primary school children the opportunity to jump aboard our research vessel, Silurian, experiencing what it’s like to live and work as a marine mammal scientist.

Silurian, Events & OutreachAshleigh Kilgour19 September 2025Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, Scotland, education, outdoor education, outdoor learning, floating classroom, Siluiran

John Coe and Aquarius: a much-awaited reunion

The West Coast Community inspires a strong connection with not only those that have been lucky enough to see them but everyone who knows their incredible story. In our most recent blog we reflect on a roller coaster of a year for John Coe and Aquarius.

©Hebrides Cruises, Indy Greene

SightingsSadie Gorvett17 September 2025marine mammals, what can you see, scotland, what can i see in Scotland, Hebrides, wildlife, wildlife watching, whale track, sightings, West Coast Community, killer whales

HWDT Research Expeditions Shortlisted for a Nature of Scotland Award

We are thrilled to share that the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s (HWDT) pioneering research expeditions have been shortlisted for the Nature Tourism Award at the prestigious RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards 2025.

Silurian, In the NewsMorven Summers16 September 2025rspb, Nature of Scotland Awards, Nature Tourism, Awards, Shortlisted, unique holiday, monitoring expedition, marine mammal monitoring, how can i get involved, protecting Scotlands seas, protect whales, what is being done to protect whales

Is the effort worth it? Absolutely!

In our latest blog, we dive into the importance of effort-based data collection. While all data is valuable, when it comes to how that data is collected, not all records are created equal. During the Wild Discovery ferry watching event, 18 hours of effort-based data was collected!

Events & Outreach, SightingsMorven Summers12 September 2025Wild Discovery, Mammal, Mammal Society, events, CalMac, Ferry, Scotland, ferry watching, Things to do Scotland, whale watching, whale watching in Scotland, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Wildlife, wildlife watching

A Lap of Lewis: Exploring Scotland’s Wild West Coast

Circumnavigating Lewis and Harris is no mean feat - conditions have to line up just right. Our latest research expedition aboard Silurian managed a full lap of the islands, crossing the Minch from Ullapool, navigating our way through the Sound of Harris and rounding the exposed Butt of Lewis. Read on to find out how we got on…

Emma Steel8 September 2025

To the edge of the Hebrides: surveying beyond the Outer Isles

Over nine days at sea, our intrepid team of citizen scientists explored west of the Outer Hebrides, gathering vital acoustic and visual data in rarely surveyed areas. Living and working aboard Silurian, our dedicated research vessel, the team encountered six species of marine megafauna, as well as reaching the most North-Westerly waters of the season. Read all about their experiences here…

Stormy seas, whirlpools and birds galore for our tough teens on the second teen expedition of the year!

With storm Floris in their sights, the teens on our second teen team of the year, braved the wild waves to survey the Inner Hebrides.

Basking sharks, white beaks and celebratory cinnamon swirls on our first teen team of 2025

Six inquisitive teens joined us aboard our research vessel, Silurian, to explore the Sea of the Hebrides, gathering visual and acoustic data.

Community scooping whale poop to study the diet of whales in Scotland

A project is underway to investigate what whales are eating off Scotland’s west coast by examining the make-up of their poop! We are delighted to be part of the team collecting samples, armed and ready to scoop from the deck of our research vessel, Silurian.

Guess who’s back? Basking Sharks encountered during latest research expedition!

Over twelve days at sea, our intrepid team of citizen scientists surveyed 700 km of Scottish waters, exploring the Southern and Outer Hebrides. Living and working aboard Silurian, HWDT’s dedicated research vessel, the team encountered 8 species of large marine vertebrates, including our first basking sharks of the year. Read all about their experiences here…

An Action Packed Spring: Whale Track Summary

This spring has been hopping, with an action packed few months of sightings across Scotland. In our most recent blog we explore what has been reported this spring.

©Karen Munro

Science & Research, SightingsSadie Gorvett23 July 2025whale watching, land based whale watching, Whale Track, sightings summary

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For the first time in a number of years, we invited young carers on board to enjoy this hands-on experience, gain new skills and help deepen the understanding of marine mammal species.