Gairloch Marine Wildlife Centre & Cruises

19/06/2026

16/06/2026

I filmed our entrance into Badachro again today… You will notice the difference compared to yesterday… no hauled out seals 🦭 🤷‍♀️

There were a number of seals in the water and we entered just as two kayakers exited The Narrows tightly hugging the shoreline.

Sea kayaking can be a great way to explore our coast but please give seals space and take corners wide just in case they are hauled out where you can’t yet see them. If they are watching you; you are too close and if they get twitchy… definitely back away!

Seals need to spend time on land to rest and digest and now is Common (Harbour) pupping time… the recommended distance to maintain from hauled out seals is 100m but we know that this is impossible when passing through The Narrows into Badachro.

The seals that haul out there are used to boats coming in and out and rarely show disturbance behaviour… the noise of the engine alerts them we are coming long before they see us… this is not the case with SUPs and Kayaks… the silent approach can startle resting seals and cause them to quickly enter the water… this not only wastes energy but is particularly dangerous if they are high up as they can break bones or if pregnant cause them to miscarry.

If you enjoy kayaking why not go out with someone like Conor from Ewe Canoe who is The WiSe Scheme accredited and can show you how to view our coastal wildlife from the water responsibly?

Information on how to watch seals responsibly can be found here:
https://britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Seal-Alliance-LEAFLET.pdf

More information about the ‘Give Seals Space’ campaign can be found here:
https://bdmlr.org.uk/give-seals-space-why-legal-protection-matters

16/06/2026

More overcast today and much calmer water in The Minch but we don’t mind overcast it made it much easier to spot these Short-beaked Common Dolphins coming towards us 🥰🐬🐬🐬🐬

15/06/2026

We got a very brief visit from a small pod of Common Dolphins while in the Minch but they were more interested in chasing fish than us so they didn’t stay long…. We also didn’t stay in the Minch very long because as you can see it was a wee bit choppy! 🌊🌊🌊🌊

15/06/2026

Through the Narrows into Badachro

15/06/2026

Finally after several days of wind we are back out on the water and what a beautiful day it is too 😍☀️🌤️🛥️

30/05/2026

Please do not approach Seals that are out of the water resting… Stay away, keep dogs on leads…. If you are concerned about the animal call BDMLR on 01825 765546, they will then send out qualified Marine Mammal Medics like Donna and her team who will assess the seal and take it to rehab if it is required.

Seals may look cute but they are dangerous wild animals, and have a dangerous wild temperament to match! They also carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets; so keep back and leave any handling to the trained professionals.

28/05/2026

This time of year we see lots of what appears to be ‘scum’ floating on the water and washing up on beaches… Dont be worried though… it’s not toxic, it won’t harm your dogs etc… it is in fact Pine Pollen!

Pine pollen is wind distributed so they produce lots of it to maximise the chances of it landing on a female pine flower… so much of it in fact; that here on the coast most of it ends up in the sea!

This is a photo I took on my way home at Laide Slipway where the current and waves have amassed lots of it!

28/05/2026

The sea is like glass today… so calm… doesn’t Port Henderson look beautiful in the sunshine?!☺️