Ron Macdonald retired from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) after 27 years of service. Orcas are highly mobile and can travel at speeds of 35 mph, which enables them to travel vast distances in short periods of time. Orcas filmed off the coast of Scrabster in Scotland! Their distinctive black-and-white coloration makes them easy to recognise. The mammals, which have been dubbed "urban Orcas" by one expert, have been filmed near Gourock and Dunoon. Scottish waters are also home to a group of eight orcas … Some members of the pod have been photo identified as far away as Galway in Ireland and just this year (2014) were spotted on the east coast of Scotland for the first time. The killer whales are thought to be part of the west coast community of orcas, which have been spotted in various locations off the coast of Ireland and Scotland over the past year. This page can no longer respond to inquiries about holidays. Kim and Donald Dallas, aged 33 and 32, welcomed their bundle of Christmas joy in the early hours of December 25. In this short commented identification catalogue, we present information on individual orcas migrating between Iceland and Scotland, emphasizing on recent sightings, as well as group affiliation. Police Scotland Two men entered a property on Ettrick Street in Wishaw before seriously assaulted a 34-year-old on at around 9.25pm on Thursday, … We are an island country after all! I'll be in Scotland in February 2017 and I'll take the ferry to Shetland and stay there for about 3 days. Orcas are also part of the dolphin family, as they have teeth. 50 shades of grey – watching orcas in Scotland By Rob Lott | 06/08/2018 Every year, people gather on cliff tops in the north of Scotland to watch out for orcas , some of whom come down from their winter herring-hunting grounds in Iceland on the look out for seals in the early Scottish summer. Orcas are actually the largest member of the dolphin family; – the name ‘killer whale’ comes from the fact that some populations prey on whales. From puffins to orcas, Scotland has no shortage of fascinating marine life. Unfortunately, no calf has been born to this group in over 20 years. As you can see, Scotland is spoilt for choice when it comes to wildlife spotting. Several orcas were spotted swimming in Scotland’s River Clyde on April 21.Reports said the orcas appeared in the waters between Dunoon and Gourock at around 12.30pm.Some people who witnessed the orcas described the incident as a once in a lifetime experience and the best ferry journey ever.This video shows two orcas visible from the water. The staff of the Sea Watch Foundation is waiting in anticipation to start conducting watches and collect records of the orcas passing through the Pentland Firth. Unfortunately, no calf has been born to this group in over 20 years. SCOTLAND’S unique resident pod of killer whales will become extinct within two decades as they cannot reproduce due to high levels of illegal chemicals found in … At one point two of the orcas were only a couple of metres from the shore. Orcas are among the few animals that undergo menopause and live for decades after they have finished breeding. Males can grow up to 30ft long and … Orcas are highly mobile and can easily cover up to 100 miles a day so whale-watchers have been urged to be patient. We are not a company nor official body. One of my biggest wishes is to see wild orcas and I've read that it's become quite likely to see them in Shetland over Video: Visitors spellbound as a pod of 14 orcas have a whale of a time off the coast of John O’Groats in ‘unprecedented’ sighting Orcas are not whales, they are dolphins. Topics Never miss an update New trips, locations and activities right to your inbox. Their presence in Scotland coincides with the seal pupping season which raises the question that The killer whale moniker can be slightly confusing but they are dolphins – the largest of their kind – and you can see them in Scotland, if … Scotland's seas are also visited by orcas that arrive from Iceland each spring to raise young and to hunt. A biologist by profession, he says that his interest in the humpback whale is as much spiritual as ecological. Orcas can be seen in coastal waters off the west coast of Scotland and in the Northern Isles . Credit: Maureen … They do appear to follow traditional foraging routes like many other Orca pods do in their home ranges, and have been reported on numerous occasions following trawlers in the North Minch for several hours. The orcas that frequent the Caithness coast at this time of year are thought to be a part of the Icelandic herring eating population. Read More Related Articles How to sign up to our Scotland Now newsletter Read More Related Articles Pod of … Scotland Business Edinburgh, Fife & East Glasgow & West Highlands & Islands NE, Orkney & Shetland South Tayside & Central 'Extinction threat' for UK orcas Published 9 … 16 talking about this. [164] [165] The lifespans of wild females average 50 to 80 years. Join us in November on a tour to the coastal fjords of Norway to view the spectacular herring migration which attracts large pods of whales. Swim with Killer Whales/Orcas in Norway Swim with the world’s most intelligent predator in the Arctic Circle! Take the time to get up close to some of nature’s most incredible beings in their beautiful coastal and marine habitats, and experience awe-inspiring moments of connection with nature. However, even Ms Beck acknowledges this recent visit is something of a rarity, having only witnessed orcas in Northern Ireland once previously. They hunt in deadly pods, family groups of up to 40. In this guest blog he shares his passion for watching… Parents in Scotland have another reason to celebrate this festive season as they welcome new additions to their families. Known as the ‘west coast community’ this resident group of orcas arrive in Northern Scotland in early summer to feast on fish. [166] Some are claimed to have lived substantially longer: Granny (J2) was estimated by some researchers to have been as old as 105 years at the time of her death, though a biopsy sample indicated her age as 65 to 80 years. Sea Kayaking with Orcas – in Scotland! SNH is the public body that advises the Scottish government on wildlife and environment. Swim up to 40 miles a day, foraging for food and exercising, and can dive 100 to 500 feet. Mr Walker, from Helensburgh in Argyll and Bute, felt a sudden jolt as he was at the helm of the 48ft yacht, before spotting one of the orcas. 50 shades of grey – watching orcas in Scotland By Rob Lott | 8th June 2018 Every year, people gather on cliff tops in the north of Scotland to watch out for orcas , some of whom come down from their winter herring-hunting grounds in Iceland on the look out for seals in the early Scottish summer. Orcas (killer whales) are the largest species of dolphin. Since 1980, 18 50 shades of grey – watching orcas in Scotland By Rob Lott | 8th June 2018 Every year, people gather on cliff tops in the north of Scotland to watch out for orcas , some of whom come down from their winter herring-hunting grounds in Iceland on the look out for seals in the early Scottish summer. In The Shetland Isles, you might be lucky enough to spot harbour porpoises, common seals, grey seals, otters and even orcas.