Scotland Whale watching date question (1 Viewer)

[Tezza]

Thinking of going to John O Groats to chance my arm at some Pentland Firth Whale spotting, anyone know if last week of April is too early to have a chance of a sighting?
I know it's a long shot anyway but it's a long way up to get the dates wrong, and TBH not the best off terra ferma so not fancying boat trips, just a thick coat, deck chair and a pair of Binos.

 

[andy63]

google suggests that the prime time would be may to september though they can be spotted year round..
I'm sure you will have had a google..
andy

 

[WillH]

Haven't seen any whales up north for a few years, last time was off Ardnamurchan Lighthhouse. We were in a car, it's a long road in a van. We do get then near us occasionally in the North Channel of the Irish Sea.

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[eddie]

I find either of the River Severn bridges excellent places to see Wales. Virtually 100% guaranteed

 

[Kingham]

I find either of the River Severn bridges excellent places to see Wales. Virtually 100% guaranteed

There's always one

 

[buttons]

We had a splendid day on a boat off of Cape Cod some huge beasts came up to pose for us. You could possibly get to Boston as fast as you can to Scotland.....

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[Gellyneck]

If your sea legs are suspect you may want to consider their smaller brethren, dolphins?
The Moray Firth has a fair population of these and we saw them from the caravan site at Findochty during the early part of May 2014 however, Chanonry Point a few miles along the coast is better. Believe they can also be spotted from the C&CC site at Rosemarkie.
They feed on migratory salmon which reaches a peak towards the end of July.
There's also the Dolphin Centre at River Spey which will be open then.

 

[pappajohn]

Shirl saw Orca and Humpbacks two days ago.......but she was a bit further north than Scotland.

 

[Kingham]

Thinking of going to John O Groats to chance my arm at some Pentland Firth Whale spotting, anyone know if last week of April is too early to have a chance of a sighting?
I know it's a long shot anyway but it's a long way up to get the dates wrong, and TBH not the best off terra ferma so not fancying boat trips, just a thick coat, deck chair and a pair of Binos.

The only time I was fortunate enough to see a Whale close up in Scotland was during an October half-term week, about 8 years ago.

I appreciate you are wanting to remain on land, but I was out on a RIB at Corryvreckan watching Dolphins & Porpoises feeding in the tidal race, when something far bigger surfaced about 40' from our boat. One day I hope to get back and try to relive the experience

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[Gellyneck]

Should have stuck this in previous response.
Might be worthwhile keeping an eye on these websites as you approach your departure date to see where might be best for a sighting?
http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/recentsightings/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/
https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/

 

[Silver-Fox]

I find either of the River Severn bridges excellent places to see Wales. Virtually 100% guaranteed

There is a road between Cheltenham and Stroud where you can park. You can take the path across a field and have a clear view of both bridges and Wales