Home >> What to See >> Cetaceans

The waters around Caithness are superb for a variety of cetaceans. The most commonly encountered species is the harbour porpoise which is recorded throughout the year, mainly from bays on the north coast. Minke whales are also regularly seen from headlands from July through to October. 

Dunnet Head and Duncansby Head offer the best viewing sites, with the greatest chance of finding a whale during flat calm days. Longberry Rock by the Castle of Old Wick, Dunbeath Bay and Berriedale are all good cetacean viewing areas with numerous sightings in recent years. Porpoise at Berriedale and Dunbeath are particularly frequent.

A range of other species are more rarely recorded from the Caithness coast. Recent records include killer whale, sei whale, bottlenosed whale, bottlenosed dolphin, pilot whale and striped dolphin. Although the striped dolphin is a rarity off northern Britain, Dunnet Bay has curiously been the site of several recent strandings.

 

The best localities to look for cetaceans are headlands along the north and east coasts. Boat trips are available during the summer from John O' Greats to look for a range of wildlife, including cetaceans. 

Details regarding recent sightings and a cetacean display are available at the Highland Council Ranger centre in Dunnet.

 

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