Join us on board our research yacht, Silurian, as we depart from Ullapool (in the north west Highlands) to monitor the rich Hebridean seas. This unique eco-tourism expedition is like no other in the UK; explore the wilds of the Hebrides, have some awesome wildlife experiences, make fantastic friends and join a community of people getting directly involved in the conservation of whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks.

Alongside our more common resident species, like harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin, this survey will monitor the departure of seasonal visitors to Hebridean seas, such as minke whale and common dolphin.

This expedition will rendezvous in Ullapool, in the north west Highlands, allowing for monitoring of the seas in the more northern and western reaches of our study area. Over 8 days, you will get the opportunity to explore some of the more remote parts of the Hebrides; with the chance of encountering some of our rarer species of whale and dolphin, such as humpback whale, Risso’s dolphin and white beaked dolphin.

Specific routes surveyed are decided during the expedition and are based on weather conditions and data collection coverage to date.

This survey encroaches into autumn in the Hebrides, with the heather turning purple on the hillsides. It’s the last push for many creatures to fatten up before the winter and many are foraging before departing for the open ocean or warmer climates to the south.