East of Inverness

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The dolphins of the Moray Firth

The Moray Firth, a great wedge-shaped bay forming the eastern coastline of the Highlands, is one of only three areas of UK waters that supports a resident population of dolphins. Over a hundred of these beautiful, intelligent marine mammals live in the estuary, the most northerly breeding ground for this particular species - the bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) - in Europe, and you stand a good chance of spotting a few, either from the shore or a boat.

During the summer, herds of thirty to forty have been known to congregate in the Moray Firth; no one is exactly sure why, although experts believe the annual gatherings, which take place between late June and August, may be connected to the breeding cycle. Dolphin-spotting has become something of a craze in the Moray Firth area. One of the best places in Scotland, if not in Europe, to look for them is Chanonry Point, on the Black Isle - a spit of sand protruding into a narrow, deep channel, where converging currents bring fish close to the surface, and thus the dolphins close to shore; the hour or so before high tide is the most likely time to see them. Kessock Bridge, one mile north of Inverness, is another prime dolphin-spotting location. You can go all the way down to the beach at the small village of North Kessock, underneath the road bridge, where there's a decent place to have a drink at the pub in the North Kessock Hotel, or you can stop above the village in a car park just off the A9 at the visitor centre and listening post.

In addition, several companies run dolphin-spotting boat trips around the Moray Firth. Reputable operators approved by the Dolphin Space Programme's Accreditation Scheme include Majestic Cruises, Inverness (tel 01463/731661); Benbola Tours, 21 Great Eastern Rd, Portessie, Buckie (tel 01542/832289); Macaulay Charters, Inverness (tel 01463/751263); Moray Firth Cruises, Shore Street, Inverness (tel 01463/717900); and Dolphin Écosse, Bank House, High Street, Cromarty (tel 01381/600323). Half-day trips cost around £20.

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