Coronavirus Response Update

Research Expedition cancellations extended due to Covid-19

Following the publication of the Scottish Government’s route map, outlining the phased approach to lifting covid-19 lockdown restrictions, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel all research expeditions until 11th August.

Additionally, our Discovery Centre in Tobermory remains closed and the postponement of our work with schools continues until further notice. While we are incredibly disappointed by this, we must continue to place the health and well-being of our staff, volunteers and the wider communities in which we operate at the forefront of all decisions made.

We believe opening our activities falls under Phase 3 of the framework outlined in the route map.  While no commitments can be made on the timeframe for transition through the different phases, we are hopeful that by mid-August we may be able to resume more of our face to face engagement and possibly our research fieldwork.  However, this decision will come under regular review and updates will be provided as and when decisions are made. 

Data gathered on board Silurian by our fantastic volunteers underpins much of our research fieldwork.  The cancellation of our research expeditions has resulted in the biggest gap in this vital data collection programme since survey work began in 2003.  We are committed to resuming our monitoring activities as soon as we safely can.  If you would like to support our conservation work (and have an awesome experience exploring the west coast of Scotland), we are still accepting bookings for research expeditions running later this season and in 2021.

During lockdown, Whale Track has allowed us to continue to collect some sightings data and we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has contributed sightings reports and images.  As we enter Phase 1 of lifting restrictions in Scotland, people will be permitted to travel short distances for outdoor leisure (5 miles), so we appeal to anyone who lives close to the Scottish west coast to get involved with conservation, download the free (and super easy to use) Whale Track app and become a citizen scientist!