Amazing Wildlife
If you want a wild life with some amazing wildlife then Skye and Lochalsh is the place to be!
This area of Scotland's west coast is home to a fantastic variety of marine life, land mammals and more than 240 species of birds. Skye has become known as the wildlife capital of the UK, offering some exciting and educational sea trips, often catching glimpses of whales, dolphins, porpoises, baskimng sharks and in the air sea and golden eagles. You may even catch a few puffins around the western coast of Skye, and in the summer months the air is full of terns, guillemots, kittiwakes and in many places the formidable gannet. On land you can see Red Deer across the island, and on the mainland pine martens and wildcats. Otters can be seen around many of the bays of south Skye, with Broadford being the home of the International Otter Survival Fund.
A number of websites are focused on the wildlife of the west coast from the abundant birdlife to sightings of the many species of whales and dolphins. We have shown these below followed by some of the principal wildlife viewing tourist operators.
Wildlife websites
- Skye Birds
A Skye based website packed full of information on the birdlife of the west coast - The IOSF
The International Otter Survival Fund in Broadford. All things otters! - The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
Wildlife sightings and the protection of marine life - Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Monitoring of cetacean distribution and educational support
Wildlife Operators
- The Misty Isle
Traditional boat cruises from Elgol operating summer cruises to the Cuillins - Calums Seal Trips
Long-established seal trips from Plockton, with a unique guarantee, free if no seals. - MV Stardust
One of several operators from Portree Harbour visiting sea-eagles in inshore waters - Dunvegan Castle seal colony trips
Short boat trips from Dunvegan seeing the large local seal population
Most of the wildlife trips operate from Easter to October, so please check with them for details of bookings. Click the links below for more information.
https://www.isleofskye.com/activities/boat-trips
https://www.isleofskye.com/activities/outdoor-activities
Keep your eyes peeled!