Posts in Sightings

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

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

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

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.

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

Whale Track Stories: Loch Broom Beluga

Noel Hawkins, a member of the Whale Track community who reports sightings whilst working with Shearwater Cruises in Ullapool, shares a sighting of an unusual and rare visitor to Loch Broom this June.

©Gordon Ball

Sightings, Guest ArticlesSadie Gorvett23 July 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

Collating community sightings to update the west coast bottlenose dolphin photo-identification catalogue in 2025

Scotland’s west coast is home to some of the most extraordinary and enigmatic marine life in Europe, but much still remains a mystery. New funded research aims to catalogue bottlenose dolphins sighted in west coast waters to gain new insights into their mysterious lives.

In the News, Science & Research, SightingsMorven Summers13 June 2025

Well-known west coast whales return to our waters

In recent weeks, well known minke whales – Knobble and Kasey – have been spotted in the Hebrides. Their sightings are a powerful reminder of how vital these waters are for minke whales, and how long-term monitoring is key to understanding them.

Sightings, Science & Research, SilurianMorven Summers6 June 2025Knobble the minke whale, Knobble, whale conservation, whale track, what whales can I see, scotland, Scottish whales, who is studying Scottish whales, who is studying whales, whale watching in scotland, whale watching with a difference

Biodiversity beneath the waves: 24 cetaceans of Scotland

A quarter of the global cetacean (the collective for whale dolphin and porpoises) species have been recorded in Scotland’s seas, marking this as an important area for these creatures.

Science & Research, SightingsMorven Summers21 May 2025whale watching, land based whale watching, Whale Track, sightings summary

Whale Track Stories: Tracking Skye’s Humpbacks and Responding to Entanglement

This winter, a number of Humpback whales were sighted off the coast of Skye, bringing joy to many. However, this joy turned to despair when two of the individuals became entangled. Luckily, both were freed but not without stress and injury to the animals. Anthony Rigell, a dedicated whale watcher from Skye, was on the ground assisting with the response.

©Anthony Rigell

Sightings, Guest ArticlesSadie Gorvett16 April 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, coastguard, helicopter

A 'Whaley' Busy Winter: Whale Track Summary

As everyone looks forward to the season ahead, we take a look back at what was a whaley busy winter.

©Ryan MacRae

Science & Research, SightingsSadie Gorvett16 April 2025whale watching, land based whale watching, Whale Track, sightings summary

Shared Seas, Shared Responsibility: Reducing Disturbance for Scotland’s Marine Life

Experiencing Scotland’s rich marine life is truly magical, but it comes with a responsibility to approach it respectfully.

SightingsMorven Summers27 March 2025Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, WiSe Scheme, Wildlife Safe, disturbance, wildlife watching, responsible tourism, best practice for watching wildlife, scottish marine wildlife watching code

Over 10,000 Whale and Dolphin Sightings Recorded in Scotland's Seas

During 2024, 11,039 sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine life were reported to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) by members of the public, or citizen scientists. Over 65,000 animals have been sighted in Scottish waters, from 17 different species.

An Awesome Autumn for Sightings: Whale Track Summary

As the nights draw in and the winter chill starts to bite, we look back on an awesome autumn for sightings.

Science & Research, SightingsSadie Gorvett11 December 2024whale watching, land based whale watching, Whale Track, sightings summary

The opportunistic foraging strategies of the minke whale

Dr Michael Tetley, member for the IUCN Joint SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, shares his knowledge of the opportunistic feeding strategies of minke whales in Scotland.

Sightings, Science & ResearchMorven Summers5 December 2024minke whales, minke whale, scotlnd, Scottish whales

A Record-Breaking Wet Summer: Whale Track Summary

Our dedicated Whale Track community have continued to watch from land, record their excursions at sea and report their sightings through the record-breaking wet weather this summer.

©Logan Gibson

Science & Research, SightingsSadie Gorvett10 October 2024whale watching, land based whale watching, Whale Track, sightings summary

Whale Track Stories: Whales of Tobermory

Local boat operator, Lyndsey McLaren, tells us about the best month of 2024, that she will never forget.

©AJ MacLeod

Sightings, Guest ArticlesSadie Gorvett10 October 2024marine 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, coastguard, helicopter

Deep divers inshore drive

Inshore movement of deep diving whales in Scottish coastal waters documented by community sightings volunteers.

Record high for minke whale sightings but record low for basking sharks, research in Hebrides finds

2023 saw the highest sighting rates and numbers of minke whales yet recorded in the Hebrides, but the lowest known for basking sharks.

News & Social Feeds

Noel Hawkins, a member of the Whale Track community who reports sightings whilst working with Shearwater Cruises in Ullapool, shares a sighting of an unusual and rare visitor to Loch Broom this June.

In recent weeks, well known minke whales – Knobble and Kasey – have been spotted in the Hebrides. Their sightings are a powerful reminder of how vital these waters are for minke whales, and how long-term monitoring is key to understanding them.