Fishing and Sea Life
Sea Life Watching:
Wester Ross is one of Europe's finest areas for watching marine wildlife. Three "hot spots" are usually found listed as being among the best for whale, porpoise, and dolphin watching - and if you are in Wester Ross, you are in one of them!
With a good pair of binoculars and a decent vantage point overlooking the Minch (the name given to the waters around the coast between the mainland and Skye), it is entirely possible to sit and watch these animals from spring through to autumn. Watching and recording these stunning animals started here in about 1994, and since then sightings have been made of Sei, Minke, Sperm, Pilot, and Bottlenosed whales. Harbour porpoises are particularly common, and we have also confirmed sightings of Bottlenosed, Common, White Beaked and Risso's dolphins. Finally, the king of them all - Killer Wales are sometimes seen off the coast heading along their migratory routes.
Sea birds are plentiful as well - From virtuallly any part of the coast, and even up to a few miles inland, it is possible to see a wide range of seabirds - Gannets, Skua, Tern, Divers Mergansers and Eider Ducks are often seen. Sea Eagles live in this area as well, and can be seen across an area from Loch Maree up towards Dundonnell. With particular regard to the area around the Shiant Islands (trips from the Gairloch area), you are able to see Skua, Tern, Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots and Shearwaters. Similar comments can be applied to a trip out to the Summer Isles (from Ullapool). This is a shorter journey than the 50 mile round trip to the Shiants, and although there might not be the same variety or quantity, these islands are home to Otters, Seals, and many species of birdlife.
Fishing
Although there has been a steadily increasing demand for Whale watching trips, sea fishing is still well provided for, and there are opportunities from virtually all of the sea lochs in the area - Lochs Carron, Torridon, Gairloch, Broom and further North. There are also local boat operators in Gairloch and Ullapool that can take you out into the deep waters to try your luck at some bigger game.
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