EVENING WILDLIFE - SEALS, SEABIRDS & HERITAGE (Lochbay Islands)

This trip is the evening version of the Watch Wildlife – Lochbay Islands by day, peppered with banter and blether and stories of island heritage and history.

IMAGE GALLERY HERE

On leaving Stein Jetty we head across the loch to spot red deer who are often seen near the shore or basking in evening sun on the hillside. On nearby rocky skerries, seals and their pups are often hauled out on their colony absorbing the last of the days heat from the sun, and birds continue their forage and feast before the sun sets. Look upwards to the top of the cliffs and you might spot a golden eagle or sea eagle soaring aloft, watching for the opportunity to catch some dinner! Onwards to Coral Beach and it’s bright clear waters, you can often spot creatures in the shallows against the bright white ‘coral’ seabed. Nearby, shags, cormorants and gulls sit atop the cliffs, preening their plumage.

As we head round the outside of the islands, into deeper waters, we are often lucky and spot some feeding dolphin. Fast and playful they are a delight to watch as they ‘show of’ their energetic and acrobatic skills. If they are feeling playful, they will ride the boats pressure waves, tumbling in our wake, jostling for priority position in the bow wave, or cruising beside us, so close you feel you could reach out and touch them. It’s impossible not to feel a deep connection as they seemingly look at you. Once they have had their fun, they’ll change direction and head back off on their mission to feed, following fish in a frenzy of splashes. ……….. and we must let them go!

In spring we are often joined by a raft of geese with dozens of goslings, cute, fluffy, a vibrant lime green, as we cruise onward to the Ardmore Arches, where get up close to the nesting colony of this incredible rocky formation that marks the end of Lochbay. Turning for home it’s all about the skies!

With the Outer Hebrides on the panoramic horizon at the base of the seascape, the drama is everchanging and incomprehensibly vast, whatever the weather! The palette varies each day of fiery red, whether passionate pink, deep purple, indigo blue, soft subtle yellow, or even steely grey with sunbeams like searchlights lighting up the sea. ………..and the reflections on the water, often as rich as the sky.

As the sun slides into the ocean to end the daylight, it’s time to be in the moment, relax and soak it all up! Completely relaxed, you might want to pop to Stein Inn for a wee dram to end the day in true Hebridean style.

For more detailed information, sightings photographs, view the tour information HERE

Departs: Stein, Waternish, Isle of Skye, IV55 8GA

GPS 57.516496, -6.573962