1. GAIRLOCH MARINE WILDLIFE CENTER & CRUISES
CONTACT: Ian French
TELEPHONE: 01445 712636
EMAIL: info@porpoise-gairloch.co.uk
ADDRESS: Charleston Harbour, Pier Road, Gairloch, Ross-shire IV21 2BQ
Type of vessel and trip: one and two hour wildlife cruises on the 31′ MV Starquest. The wildlife information centre also includes photographic displays of local wildlife, identification guides, films and sightings data.
Likely species to be seen: harbour porpoises are the most frequently encountered marine mammals, on which survey work is conducted. Other cetacean species seen include minke whales, common and white-beaked dolphins. There are also grey and common seals to be spotted.
2. ARISAIG MARINE LTD
CONTACT: Catherine McDonell
TELEPHONE: 01687 450224
EMAIL: info@arisaig.co.uk
ADDRESS: the Harbour Arisaig, Inverness-shire PH39 4NH
Type of vessel and trip: departs daily from Arisaig Marina. Booking is essential. Trips to the islands of Eigg, Muck or Rum.
Likely species to be seen: minke whales and harbour porpoises, Risso’s dolphin, Atlantic white-sided dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, killer whale and basking shark.
3. HEBRIDEAN WHALE CRUISES
CONTACT: Verle van de Bossche
TELEPHONE: 01445 712458
EMAIL: veerle_hwc@hotmail.com
ADDRESS: tPier Road, Gairloch, IV21 2BQ
Type of vessel and trip: wildlife watching trips from Gairloch around the seas of Northwest Scotland onboard MV Kerry.
Likely species to be seen: minke whales, harbour porpoises, killer whales, many species of dolphins including Risso’s dolphin, common dolphin and bottlenose dolphins, as well as many species of seabirds.
4. NORTH WEST CRUISES
CONTACT: Jody McNeil
TELEPHONE: 0795 481765
EMAIL: northwestcruises1@hotmail.co.uk
ADDRESS: NA
Type of vessel and trip: 1 hour trip ~ Short cruise inside Loch Gairloch; 2 hour ~ to the mouth of Loch Gairloch and west side of Longa Island looking out into the Minch; 3 hour ~ Recommended for seeing whales and dolphins, takes you out into the Minch towards Rhona and west to the Isle of Skye. Full day charters available by arrangement.
Likely species to be seen: Minke whales, harbour porpoises, killer whales, Risso’s dolphin, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphins, as well as many species of seabirds.
5. SHEARWATER SUMMER ISLE CRUISES
CONTACT: Noel Hawkins
TELEPHONE: 01854 612472
EMAIL: Cruises@SummerQueen.co.uk
ADDRESS: Head of Ullapool Harbour, Shore Street, Ullapool
Type of vessel and trip: Powerglide 50 Catamaran, built 2010, 15.1 mtr GRP hull. Twin 400hp engines, radar, plotter, 2 VHF radio, twin deck, passenger lounge, toilet.
Likely species to be seen: cetaceans, pinnipeds and plenty of birds.
