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GAIRLOCH, WESTER ROSS
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION
GAIRLOCH CARN DEARG HOSTEL
Gairloch, Ross-shire, IV21 2DJ
Tel: 0870 004 1110
E-Mail: gairloch@syha.org.uk
Cosy hostel housed in former hunting lodge by the sea.
Dolphins and whales have been frequently sighted from the hostel itself.
A favourite hide-away for many.
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A FEW OTHER GOOD REASONS TO VISIT THE AREA
Big Sand Beach, unspoilt fishing villages, Gairloch Heritage Museum, National
Trust Gardens at Inverewe, Pony Trekking, Torridon Mountains, windsurfing,
golf, climbing, walking, fishing, sailing and cycling.
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LOCATION/TRANSPORT
| Edinburgh | 225 miles | Driving time 6 ¼ hrs |
| Glasgow | 240 miles | Driving time 6 ½ hrs |
| Inverness | 70 miles | Driving time 3 hrs |
A once daily, indirect bus service runs from Inverness to Gairloch
by the local Wester Bus Company. It is recommended that you contact
them on 01445 712255 before commencing your journey.
Check out our transport links.
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MARINE AND WILDLIFE OPERATORS AND ATTRACTIONS
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Gairloch Marine Life Centre & Cruises
Charleston Harbour, Gairloch
T 01445 712636
www.porpoise-gairloch.co.uk
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Owned, managed and skippered by Marine Biologist Ian French. A great place to learn
all about local wildlife before experiencing a cruise off this spectacular piece of
coastline.
Potential sightings include: porpoises, seals, seabirds and occasional dolphins.
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Loch Maree Islands National Nature Reserve
Kinlochewe
T 01445 760254
www.nnr-scotland.org.uk
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Nature reserve encompassing 40 small islands, which support one of Scotland’s most ancient
stretches of native pinewood. An important breeding site for the black-throated diver.
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Torridon Countryside Centre
Torridon Mains, Torridon, Achnasheen
T 01445 791368
www.nts.org.uk
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An area to experience some of the most stunning Scottish mountain scenery and
included in this section as a recommended area for observing golden eagles.
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INVERNESS
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION
INVERNESS YOUTH HOSTEL
Victoria Drive, Inverness, IV2 3QB
Tel: 0870 004 1127
E-Mail: inverness@syha.org.uk
Five-star hostel accommodation, a stone’s throw from the centre of town.
Family-sized rooms, excellent self-catering facilities and off street parking available.
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A FEW OTHER GOOD REASONS TO VISIT THE AREA
Culloden Battlefield, Cinema, Inverness Castle, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery,
Loch Ness Cruises, Nightlife, Restaurants and Bars, Scottish Kilt Maker Visitor Centre,
Shopping Mall, Sports Centre.
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LOCATION/TRANSPORT
| Edinburgh | 155 miles | Driving time 3 ¼ hrs |
| Glasgow | 170 miles | Driving time 3 ½ hrs |
Excellent daily bus and train services connect Inverness to all major cities and ports.
Check out our transport links.
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MARINE AND WILDLIFE OPERATORS AND ATTRACTIONS
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Dolphins and Seals of the Moray Firth
Tourist Information Centre, North Kessock
T 01463 731866
www.cali.co.uk
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An underwater acoustic experience – listen and learn about how dolphins communicate with
each other in the wild. There is also a viewing point at the centre, and binoculars are provided.
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Inverness Dolphin Cruises
Shore Street Quay, Inverness
T 01463 717900
www.inverness-dolphin-cruises.co.uk
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Cruises to visit Moray Firth’s resident dolphins, the most northerly group of
bottlenoses in the world.
Potential sightings include: dolphins, seals, red kites and ospreys.
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WDCS Wildlife Centre
Tugnet, Buckie
T 01343 820339
www.wdsc.org/wildlifecentre
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50 miles east of Inverness but well worth the visit.
Home to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
Frequent sightings plus Wildlife Centre with extensive
exhibition about the Moray Firth, dolphins and other local
wildlife.
Potential sightings include: dolphins, seals,
otters, ospreys and wildfowl.
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ISLE OF MULL
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION
TOBERMORY YOUTH HOSTEL
Main Street, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, PA75 6NU
Tel: 0870 004 1151
E-Mail: tobermory@syha.org.uk
Four-star hostel overlooking Tobermory’s colourful, bustling harbour.
Perfect for families. Recently renovated and offering high standards throughout.
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A FEW OTHER GOOD REASONS TO VISIT THE AREA
‘Balamory’, Duart Castle, Iona Abbey, Pony Trekking, Standing Stones, Tobermory Distillery,
Torosay Castle, Water-sports, and good pubs with lively music sessions.
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LOCATION/TRANSPORT
| Edinburgh | 120 miles | Driving time 3 ¾ hrs |
| Glasgow | 90 miles | Driving time 3 hrs |
| Inverness | 110 miles | Driving time 3 ¼ hrs |
The mainland ferry terminal for Mull is located in Oban.
Caledonian MacBrayne run regular daily ferry crossings.
In turn Oban is well served by the Citylink bus company and
there are three daily direct train services from Glasgow Queens Street.
Check out our transport links.
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MARINE AND WILDLIFE OPERATORS AND ATTRACTIONS
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Discover Mull
Ardrioch Farm
T 01688 500256
www.discovermull.co.uk
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Excellent Landrover tours taking in the island’s spectacular geological, moorland
and coastal scenery.
Potential sightings include: porpoises, otters, seals and sea eagles.
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Gordon Grant Staffa Tours
Iona
T 01681 700338
www.fingals-cave-staffa.co.uk
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Boat trips from Iona visiting the large puffin colony on the Treshnish Isles as well
as the national nature reserve on the island of Staffa.
Potential sightings include:
puffins, puffins, basking shark, possible whale and puffins!
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The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust Visitor Centre
Tobermory
T 01688 302620
www.hwdt.org
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Hebridean marine research, conservation and education charity.
Visitor centre open daily with lots of useful information, plus
interactive learning for children. Pop in and support this worthwhile organisation.
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Island Encounter Wildlife Safaris
Arle Beag Cottage
T 01680 300441
www.mullwildlife.co.uk
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Experience a close encounter with some of the rarest birds and mammals to be
found in the British Isles.
Potential sightings include: otters, divers, golden eagles and harriers.
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Isle of Mull Wildlife Expeditions
Ulva Ferry
T 01688 500121
www.scotlandwildlife.com
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A land-based tour of the island’s wonderful wildlife habitats led by one
Scotland’s leading guides and natural history experts.
Potential sightings include: porpoises, otters, sea eagles and golden eagles.
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Sea Life Surveys
Tobermory
T 01688 302916
www.whalewatchingscotland.com
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The first marine life operators UK and the founders of the HWDT.
They offer an unsurpassed marine environment experience.
Potential sightings include: whales, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks and more.
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Turus Mara Wildlife and Seabird Cruise Tours
Dervaig
T 08000 858786
www.turusmara.com
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Trips to the uninhabited Treshnish Isles of Lunga,
Fladda and Coll as well as the famous island of Staffa.
Potential sighting include: puffins, seals, sea birds and ….. more puffins!
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ISLE OF SKYE
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION
ARMADALE YOUTH HOSTEL
Armadale, Ardvasar, Sleat, Isle of Skye
Tel: 01599 534255
E-Mail: armadale@syha.org.uk
Characterful hostel with a waterfront setting and some of the best views on the west coast.
Regular whale, dolphin, porpoise and otter sightings from the hostel’s own terrace.
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A FEW OTHER GOOD REASONS TO VISIT THE AREA
Clan Donald Castle Gardens and Museum of the Isles, Dunvegan Castle, Harbour Town of Portree,
Highland Heavy Horses, Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, Talisker Distillery, walking, climbing and canoeing.
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LOCATION/TRANSPORT
Via Ferry
| Edinburgh | Mallaig 183 miles | Driving time 5 hrs |
| Glasgow | Mallaig 144 miles | Driving time 4 ½ hrs |
Both Citylink and Scotrail operate a daily service from Glasgow to Mallaig – changing in Fort William.
Caledonian MacBrayne run regular crossings from Mallaig to Armadale on Skye.
Out of season there are no Sunday services.
Via Skye Bridge
| Edinburgh | Kyleakin 200 miles | Driving time 5 hrs |
| Glasgow | Kyleakin 175 miles | Driving time 5 ½ hrs |
| Inverness | Kyleakin 78 miles | Driving time 3 hrs |
Citylink run two daily bus services from Glasgow and Inverness.
There are three daily train services from Glasgow to Kyle of Lochalsh –
on the mainland side of the Skye Bridge.
Check out our transport links.
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MARINE AND WILDLIFE OPERATORS AND ATTRACTIONS
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AquaXplore
Elgol
T 0800 7313089
www.aquaxplore.co.uk
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Explore the abundant bird and wildlife along Skye’s remote southern coastline, and in and
around the small isles of Rum, Canna and Soay.
Potential sightings include: whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds, basking sharks, sea eagles, puffins, common seals and atlantic grey seals
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Family’s Pride II
Broadford
T 0800 7832175
www.glassbottomboat.co.uk
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Glass-bottom boat trips in and around Broadford Bay.
A great way to experience marine life above and below the waves.
Potential sightings include: whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals.
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Jon Pear Photography (Sea Eagle Expeditions)
Portree
T 01478 640766
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Highly experienced and established photographer who runs daily land-based expeditions
in search of both golden eagles and sea eagles. Peak season for sightings is between
April to August, but frequently spotted through to the end of October.
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Otter Haven
Kylerhea
www.forestry.gov.uk
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Dedicated otter hide over looking Glenelg Bay.
Plenty of seals and seabirds, otter sightings less frequent.
Worth a visit for scenic drive alone.
Potential sightings include: otters, seals and seabirds.
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Ring of Bright Water Visitor Centre
Kyleakin
T 01599 530040
www.eileanban.org
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Learn about the late author and naturalist Gavin Maxwell and his famous otters
as well as finding out more about the flora and fauna of the island. The centre
houses interactive displays for children and is a fun, educational experience for the whole family.
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Sea Eagle Exhibition
Aros Visitor Centre, Portree
T 01478 613649
www.aros.co.uk
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A static exhibition providing an in-depth insight into the lives of
these majestic raptors. Displays, short films and live CCTV footage from the nest.
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Seafari
The Pier, Armadale
T 01471 833316
www.whalespotting.co.uk
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Eco-friendly whale and dolphin watching trips in high speed R.I.B’s.
If there is anything to be seen out there these guys will find it.
Highly recommended. Great gift shop also.
Potential sightings include: minke whales, dolphins, basking sharks, seals and seabirds.
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OBAN
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION
OBAN YOUTH HOSTEL
Esplanade, Oban, Argyll, PA34 5AF
Tel: 0870 004 1144
E-Mail: oban@syha.org.uk
Victorian townhouse hostel with a central seafront location. Superior accommodation with
excellent facilities. Perfectly suited for families.
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A FEW OTHER GOOD REASONS TO VISIT THE AREA
Oban Cathedral, Oban Distillery, Dunollie Castle, Dunstaffnage Castle,
Highland Games (August), McCaig’s Tower, Tours of Mull & Iona, West Highland Week Regatta (August)
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LOCATION/TRANSPORT
| Edinburgh | 120 miles | Driving time 3 ¾ hrs |
| Glasgow | 90 miles | Driving time 3 hrs |
| Inverness | 110 miles | Driving time 3 ¼ hrs |
There are three daily direct trains services from Glasgow Queens Street to Oban.
The Citylink bus company operate three daily services from Edinburgh and Glasgow and one
daily service from Inverness, changing in Fort William.
Check out our transport links.
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MARINE AND WILDLIFE OPERATORS AND ATTRACTIONS
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Loch Etive Cruises
Taynuilt
T 01866 822430
www.oban.org.uk/attractions/etive.html
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See a wide variety of wildlife on this remote sea loch, which extends into the Glencoe
Mountains. The trip takes in a seal colony. Golden eagles can be seen on a regular
basis around the head of the loch.
Potential sightings include: seals, otters, golden eagles and buzzards.
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Scottish Sealife Sanctuary
Barcaldine, Oban
T 01631 720386
www.sealsanctuary.co.uk
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Scotland's leading marine animal rescue centre, caring for abandoned seal pups.
There are also some resident otters and common seals. Interesting displays of
native marine life from seahorses to sharks. Gift shop & restaurant.
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Sealife Adventures Oban
Dunaverty, Easdale, Oban
T 01631 571010
www.sealife-adventures.com
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Wildlife-watching boat trips skippered by experienced Marine Biologist in and
around the Firth of Lorn – a ‘Special Area of Conservation’.
Potential sightings include: minke whales, basking sharks, dolphins, and golden eagles.
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