Seafield Street
Portsoy
Aberdeenshire
AB45 2QT
Telephone: 01261 842327
Fax: 01261 842975
enquiries@stationhotelportsoy.co.uk
The Moray Firth Dolphins
The Moray Firth is home to around 130
bottlenose dolphins. This dolphin group is special, as it is the only known resident
population of bottlenose dolphins in the North Sea, and one of only three resident bottlenose dolphin populations living in mainland UK waters,
the other two being a similar-sized population living in Cardigan Bay, West Wales,
and a smaller population of around 55 animals which ranges widely along the coast of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.
There are regular sightings of these dolphins as can be seen by looking at the sightings calendar page of the
Friends of the Moray Firth Dolphins.
Special, wild life watching, boat trips can be arranged on two seperate boats very near the hotel.
Puffin Cruises, based in Macduff,
offer daily sightseeing and fishing trips from Macduff Harbour along the scenic Moray Firth coastline
which has an abundance of sea and bird life that includes puffins, whales, seals etc. etc. as well as the dolphins.
Going along the coast the other way to Buckie,
the Gemini Explorer,
is the largest wildlife watching boat on the East Coast.
Gemini Explorer sails past historic and picturesque fishing villages such as Findochty, Portknockie and Cullen
where the eagle eyed can see the remains of Findlater Castle.
There is also the famous Bow Fiddle Rock named after its shape.
Also worth a visit is the
Moray Firth Wildlife Centre at Spey Bay.
The centre originated as a salmon fishing station in the 18th century, but in 1997 it was renovated at set up as a
visitor attraction dedicated to interpreting the Moray Firth Dolphins, together with other amazing local wildlife.
