Have you ever smelled a whales breathe? No? Then you've never lived. Minke
whales are often given the nickname stinky minke because if you're down wind
of them when they blow they..... well you get the idea.
It was the first of my scheduled whale watching trips from Gairloch this
morning, with Hebridean Whale Cruises, on board the Humber rib "Orca 1". As
usual it was the most wonderful of experiences, loads of whales and
dolphins, even more seabirds, stunning scenery and an exhilarating, high speed 100km (60 mile) ride as
well. What's not to love? A bargain at £110.
Today we travelled to the north tip of Trotternish on Skye, past the
Quirang, Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr, then through the Gap of Rona
and past Raasay before heading back to Gairloch. We saw about seven minke
whales, plus lots of common dolphins and a few harbour porpoise.
Birds were really good, best being a juvenile long-tailed skua which went
over our boat twice and then chased a kittiwake. Other birds included a couple of sooty
shearwaters and a few storm petrels, all quite close to the boat. The weather has
been ok generally but the wind forecast over the next few days is hit and
miss so fingers crossed that I can get out again on Wednesday!
Minke whale.
More common dolphins. The closest animal looks like a youngster to me.
A feeding frenzy of gannets off Kilt Rock, Skye.
Gannets off the Old Man of Storr, Skye.
Manx shearwater.
The Quirang on Skye.
Red deer on Raasay.
I've been with Hebridean Whale Cruises many times over the past 10 years and
can't recommend them highly enough. It's always a tremendous experience.
Our route today.
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