Scotland’s best spots for whale, dolphin and porpoise watching

Whether you’re cruising the famous NC500 or holidaying in Ayrshire, there are plenty of places to spot these mammals.

We take a look at the most popular and well-known viewpoints and share some of the best places to spot whales, dolphins and more.

Scotland’s best whale, dolphin and porpoise watching spots to visit this summer

Irvine Beach is known for being clean, big, and has lots of whale and dolphin activity (Canva). (Image: Canva)

Here are the best places to spot whales, dolphins and porpoises in Scotland this summer.

Irvine Beach

If you are looking for a large and clean beach, look no further than Irvine, praised by visitors.

A reviewer on Tripadvisor said: “It’s a great spot for spotting wildlife as there are seals in the harbour, many different birds, swans, sometimes dolphins and the occasional whale.”

Irvine Beach is also an ideal place for walking, as there are a number of restaurants and hotels near the town of Irvine.

Chanonry Point (Moray Firth)

Chanonry Point is a great spot for whale watching and offers some of the best sightings in the country.

The spot is close to the NC500 on the Ness Road in Fortrose, making it ideal for those traveling along the legendary route.

Chanonry Point near the NC500 is ideal for those traveling along the scenic route (Getty/Canva) (Image: Canva/Getty)

Great seafront

This promenade, which stretches along the popular seaside town of Largs, allows visitors to take in the scenery while enjoying a bag of chips at one of the nearby restaurants.

Visitors have said that whales can sometimes be seen. Regardless, the place still offers a leisurely stroll for the whole family.

Pettycur Harbor (Firth of Forth)

Whale watching enthusiasts cite Pettycur Harbor as a great place to see marine life in the Firth of Forth.

According to Scottish Field, the Firth of Forth is known for the occurrence of exotic species such as humpback whales, minke whales and bottlenose dolphins.

island of Mull

The Isle of Mull is a more remote location for whale and dolphin watching. Many local companies offer wildlife viewing boat trips.

One such excursion company is Sea Life Surveys, which regularly takes visitors to see whales and dolphins.

Seamill

Seamill, situated close to West Kilbride, has spectacular sea views and is renowned as a prime spot for whale and dolphin watching.

Visitors can stay in a number of local hotels, such as The Waterside just down the road, also known for its great window views of the Firth of Clyde.