Scotland - Short Breaks
4 Days
Highlights
- Bottlenose dolphin watching onboard our chartered boats in Cromarty and Spey Bay in the Moray Firth.
- Fantastic shore based dolphin watching opportunities at Chanonry Point
- Stay in a beautifully converted 18th century brewery in the historic coastal town of Cromarty
- Visit the WDCS Wildlife Centre at Spey Bay
- Enjoy a short break in a beautiful, remote part of Scotland
Description
The Moray Firth is a beautiful and unspoilt part of Northern Scotland and home to one of just three populations of bottlenose dolphins around the UK. This incredibly popular trip offers fantastic opportunities for both boat and land based dolphin watching. You'll get the chance to see and learn about dolphins in their natural habitat, whilst enjoying the hospitality and majestic scenery for which Scotland is rightly famous.
Our base for the trip is the historic, conservation town of Cromarty, known as the jewel of the Black Isle and one of the most beautiful small towns in the Highlands. We stay in a stunning converted 18th century brewery, a stone's throw from the sea and close to all the town's amenities including cafes, shops, museums and the picturesque harbour from where our boat departs. Cromarty is also home to the Lighthouse Field Station and the researchers who study the dolphin population - including WDCS's adopted dolphins. A short drive from Cromarty takes us to Chanonry Point where, if conditions are right, it is possible to observe dolphins that come to within a few metres of the shore. Charlie Phillips, WDCS's field officer, will be on hand to talk about the dolphins and share photography tips.
During our stay we spend a day visiting the WDCS Wildlife Centre at Spey Bay to meet our resident staff and learn more about the dolphins and other wildlife found in this very special area. The Centre is situated right next door to a wildlife reserve where otters, seals and ospreys are often seen. Our day in Spey Bay concludes with a boat trip to explore the south shores of the Moray Firth in search of dolphins.
Itinerary
- Day 1.
- Travel to Inverness. Transfer to Cromarty on Black Isle. Late afternoon dolphin watch. Welcome evening meal and slide show.
- Day 2.
- Day trip to visit the WDCS Wildlife Centre in Spey Bay. Afternoon dolphin watching trip.
- Day 3.
- Coastal walk plus shore and boat based dolphin watching from Cromarty.
- Day 4.
- Depart Inverness after breakfast for return journeys. For those travelling home in the late afternoon we will visit Chanonry Point, a great spot for shore based dolphin watching.
-
Whilst most departures follow the itinerary as noted above, we reserve the right to change the itinerary to ensure a successful trip.
- Tour Code: BSCO
- Cost per person: £495 per person (Land only)
- WDCS Donation Included: £20 per person direct to WDCS
- Single supplement: £235
- What's included: All transfers and boat trips. Three nights accommodation with shared facilities at The Old Brewery. All meals.
- Not included: Travel to Inverness; travel insurance; alcoholic drinks; personal items.
- Important travel information: You are free to decide how you would like to travel to Inverness for the start of your trip. You can then choose from two pick-up points where you will be met on the first morning. Full details will be sent in your trip dossier upon booking.
-
Departure dates:
30 July - 2 Aug 2010
17 - 20 Aug 2010
27 - 30 May 2011
18 - 21 Jun 2011
23 - 26 Jul 2011
6 - 9 Aug 2011 - Guides: WDCS guide.
-
Group size: 11 maximum
"The sight of dolphins bow riding a couple of metres below us was very emotional. It was an honour and a pleasure to be there. They left a memory that will never leave me."
A.H. 2007