Local Wildlife

Dolphins. The Moray Firth is home to around 150 bottle-nosed dolphins, which can be spotted from Brora Beach and the harbour. They are best seen on a rising tide where the sea narrows and the fish are concentrated. The nearest reliable places for shore watching are Balintore (near Fearn) and the mouth of the Cromarty Firth, either at Balnapaling (Nigg) or the opposite side by Cromarty Lighthouse. Further south they are often seen playing on the surface with salmon at Chanonry Point (the mouth of the inner Moray Firth). The mouth of the Beauly Firth by North Kessock is also good as it is an important over-wintering spot for sprat and herring and both dolphins and seals concentrate here in a good sprat winter. The Dolphin Visitor Centre at North Kessock is an interesting place to visit. Dolphin watching cruises are available. Only companies that have agreed to abide by a dolphin-friendly code of conduct should be used.

Other Cetaceans. A sperm whale was observed from Brora beach in 1994. Minke whales are regular visitors to the Moray Firth between August and October and have been observed from Brora beach. Pilot and Killer Whales are both occasionally seen in the Moray Firth. The White-Beaked, Atlantic White-Sided, Common and Risso's dolphins are all sometimes seen offshore, but rarely from the beach.

Grey Seals. Around 500 can be seen in the Moray Firth outside the breeding season when large groups of several hundred congregate at isolated haul out sites. Individual Grey Seals are often seen mixed in with Common Seals, which often haul out in more accessible places. Breeding takes place on remote islands and beaches in the Autumn when single pups are born. The nearest breeding site is north of Helmsdale and is only visible from boats. The pups remain for about three weeks.

Common Seals. There are around 1200 in the Moray Firth. They haul out regularly at Loch Fleet and the Dornoch Firth, but the best views are on Brora beach between the 'targets'; and Sputie Burn, where 100 plus haul out regularly. They are best seen at low tide, but please do not approach too close and disturb them. The pups are born in the last two weeks of June and swim out to their mothers on the next tide.