A Garden to Protect Whales

Through the Scotland’s Garden Scheme, the Williams family will open their beautiful garden to the public and encourage donations to the Trust.

FundraisingMorven Summers20 June 2025whale conservation, garden

Work Experience Week

At HWDT, we’re passionate about engaging with our local community and creating opportunities to get involved in marine conservation. One way we do this is by welcoming work experience pupils from Tobermory High School.

Guest Articles, Events & OutreachMorven Summers20 June 2025work ex#, Tobermory High School, opportunities for young people, working in a charity, volunteering, get involved, how can young people get experience in marine conservation

Fin-omenal sightings during fifth research expedition of 2025!

Over nine days, the team aboard Silurian, HWDT’s dedicated research vessel, surveyed over 550km of Hebridean seas, collecting vital visual and acoustic data. One for the record books, citizen scientists had an unforgettable display of Scotland’s marine megafauna. Read all about their experiences here…

Collating community sightings to update the west coast bottlenose dolphin photo-identification catalogue in 2025

Scotland’s west coast is home to some of the most extraordinary and enigmatic marine life in Europe, but much still remains a mystery. New funded research aims to catalogue bottlenose dolphins sighted in west coast waters to gain new insights into their mysterious lives.

In the News, Science & Research, SightingsMorven Summers13 June 2025

Stormy seas and sailing with celebrities

From stormy seas to BBQ’s on the beach, our teams of students from St Andrew’s University Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) embraced the elements to have a truly memorable time aboard our research vessel, Silurian.

Well-known west coast whales return to our waters

In recent weeks, well known minke whales – Knobble and Kasey – have been spotted in the Hebrides. Their sightings are a powerful reminder of how vital these waters are for minke whales, and how long-term monitoring is key to understanding them.

Sightings, Science & Research, SilurianMorven Summers6 June 2025Knobble the minke whale, Knobble, whale conservation, whale track, what whales can I see, scotland, Scottish whales, who is studying Scottish whales, who is studying whales, whale watching in scotland, whale watching with a difference

Clear skies, glassy seas & fascinating minke whale behaviours on our latest research expedition!

Glorious sunshine welcomed our team of citizen scientists aboard Silurian for our latest research expedition, setting the tone for an unforgettable week.

Biodiversity beneath the waves: 24 cetaceans of Scotland

A quarter of the global cetacean (the collective for whale dolphin and porpoises) species have been recorded in Scotland’s seas, marking this as an important area for these creatures.

Science & Research, SightingsMorven Summers21 May 2025whale watching, land based whale watching, Whale Track, sightings summary

“That was like a David Attenborough documentary”

Our popular floating classroom school visits provide primary school children the opportunity to jump aboard our research vessel, Silurian, experiencing what it’s like to live and work as a marine mammal scientist.

Silurian, Events & OutreachSadie Gorvett20 May 2025Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, Scotland, education, outdoor education, outdoor learning, floating classroom, Siluiran

AIS data underrepresents vessel traffic around coastal Scotland

Data gathered during expeditions on our research vessel, Silurian, have contributed to a new study investigating how accurate Automatic Identification System (AIS) data is in quantifying vessel traffic in coastal waters around Scotland.

Sunshine, still seas and so many epic wildlife encounters!

Fantastic weather allowed for far-flung surveying as our latest group of citizen scientists ventured to the Outer Hebrides aboard Silurian, HWDT’s dedicated research vessel. Over five days, the team onboard encountered six species of marine mammal and surveyed over 300km collecting vital visual and acoustic data. Read all about their experiences here…

Sail into Science: Free Teen Expedition Opportunity

Thanks to generous sponsorship, HWDT are delighted to offer two free spaces to young adults living on the west coast of Scotland. If you are aged 16 or 17 and have an interest in the marine environment, apply today to join us for free on an expedition running 03 - 09 August 2025.

North Channel Swim

In an extraordinary feat of endurance and dedication, wild swimmer Holly Monson is preparing to take on the challenge of a lifetime.

Morven Summers6 May 2025

Silurian Sets Sail: The 2025 Field Season Begins!

The 2025 season has officially begun! Our first team of citizen scientists joined Silurian for eight days of survey from Tobermory. From bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoise to puffins, seals, and even otters — the team recorded six marine mammal species and collected crucial acoustic and visual data to support conservation efforts. Read all about their experiences here…

Encounters to Remember, Seas to Protect

Creating connections with Scotland’s seas is important if we are to inspire the next generation of whale champions. When we create memorable and impactful moments, people are empowered to protect Scotland’s marine wildlife.

FundraisingMorven Summers24 April 2025The Big Give, Green Match Fund, Crowdf, fundraising, charity support, help whales and dolphins, help us, help save whales, help save our seas

Creating Connections with Scotland's Seas

The Big Give Green Match Fund is LIVE and this is your moment to make DOUBLE THE DIFFERENCE. Donate now to connect people with Scotland’s seas.

FundraisingMorven Summers22 April 2025The Big Give, Green Match Fund, Crowdf, fundraising, charity support, help whales and dolphins, help us, help save whales, help save our seas

Whale Track Stories: Tracking Skye’s Humpbacks and Responding to Entanglement

This winter, a number of Humpback whales were sighted off the coast of Skye, bringing joy to many. However, this joy turned to despair when two of the individuals became entangled. Luckily, both were freed but not without stress and injury to the animals. Anthony Rigell, a dedicated whale watcher from Skye, was on the ground assisting with the response.

Sightings, Guest ArticlesSadie Gorvett16 April 2025marine mammals, what can you see, scotland, what can i see in Scotland, hebrides, Hebrides, wildlife, wildlife watching, minke whales, whale track stories, whale track, sightings, coastguard, helicopter

A 'Whaley' Busy Winter: Whale Track Summary

As everyone looks forward to the season ahead, we take a look back at what was a whaley busy winter.

©Ryan MacRae

Science & Research, SightingsSadie Gorvett16 April 2025whale watching, land based whale watching, Whale Track, sightings summary

A Science Sea Trial Success!

Following an extensive period of winter maintenance, our research vessel, Silurian, set sail on Hebridean seas once again to test some new equipment on board. The data gathered during expeditions is used to better understand our seas and protect the species found off Scotland’s west coast.

Shared Seas, Shared Responsibility: Reducing Disturbance for Scotland’s Marine Life

Experiencing Scotland’s rich marine life is truly magical, but it comes with a responsibility to approach it respectfully.

SightingsMorven Summers27 March 2025Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, WiSe Scheme, Wildlife Safe, disturbance, wildlife watching, responsible tourism, best practice for watching wildlife, scottish marine wildlife watching code

News & Social Feeds

In recent weeks, well known minke whales – Knobble and Kasey – have been spotted in the Hebrides. Their sightings are a powerful reminder of how vital these waters are for minke whales, and how long-term monitoring is key to understanding them.