Posts by Caroline Willis

From Tobermory to Iona, and now Lochmaddy, the immersive On Sonorous Seas has been exhibited at a number of Hebridean Whale Trail sites. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust was thrilled to be a partner in On Sonorous Seas and that other communities on the west coast will experience its impact.

Tales from the Trail: Isle of Rum

Join Community Engagement Officer, Caroline, as she journeys round the Hebridean Whale Trail in the Tales from the Trail blog series. Read about Caroline’s visit to the Isle of Rum and what she got up to on her first trip to the Small Isles. Feel inspired where the land meets the sea and plan your next adventure on the Hebridean Whale Trail.

The Hebridean Whale TrailCaroline Willis9 June 2023Hebridean whale, rum, small isles, Visit Small Isles, wildlife holiday, wildlife watching, wildlife watching on rum, visit rum, slow tourism, experiences on rum, what to do on Rum, wildlife experiences in Scotland

How to breach, leap or porpoise your way to conclusions: Whale Track behaviours

When reporting your sighting, we ask you to identify the behaviours displayed by the animal you’re watching. But why is this important?

We've broken down what behaviours you may see and why it is so important to record them.

Science & Research, SightingsCaroline Willis23 June 2022whale watching, land based whale watching, Whale Track, animal behaviour, report your sightings

Remote parts of the Hebrides surveyed during fifth research expedition

Monitoring Hebridean seas is well underway, with Silurian - our research vessell - completing her fifth expedition of the 2022 Summer field season. Some great conditions allowed us to gather data from some of the more remote and exposed parts of our study area. Here, Craig Mackie, Science Officer on board, recalls details of the expedition

Silurian gets some TLC

Silurian, our research vessel is a hard working boat and throughout the year is gifted some TLC. Here one of the team, Brian, updates on recent efforts to keep her shipshape.

SilurianCaroline Willis19 May 2022research vessel, whale research in Scotland, dolphin research, working boat, vessel, monitoring, monitoring vessel, citizenscience, cit, get involved, volunteers, volunteering

Online Lessons for Primary Schools

Find out more about this amazing opportunity for schools in Scotland to work with HWDT online and discover more about whale research.

Nine species recorded during National Whale and Dolphin Watch, including a leatherback turtle.

Explore the amazing sightings reported during this years National Whale and Dolphin Watch event.

SightingsCaroline Willis11 August 2021citizen science, get involved, sightings, whale track, National Whale and Dolphin Watch

*PRESS RELEASE* Famous fins make a welcome return to Hebridean seas

Knobble and Kasey return to the Hebrides this month, highlighting how important the region is for minke whales who migrate to feed in the rich waters off Scotland’s west coast during the summer months.

National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2021

You are invited to take part in a national event, to watch the water for our amazing marine life. We need your help to get a snapshot of whales, dolphins, porpoise and basking sharks across the west coast of Scotland.

Sightings, The Hebridean Whale TrailCaroline Willis5 July 2021Whale Track, Hebridean Whale Trail, whale watching, land based whale watching, National Whale and Dolphin Watch, NWDW, national survey, Sea Watch Foundation, citizen science, report your sightings, online training, training course, species ID training, survey training

Sea-Changers support HWDT's education programme

HWDT are delighted to announce new support from Sea-Changers for our Hebridean Marine Explorer’s programme.

Events & OutreachCaroline Willis1 July 2021

Struan Primary School Raise Over £300 for HWDT

HWDT are delighted to receive a cheque for over £300 from pupils at Struan Ocean School based on the Isle of Skye, after they made and sold Ocean School sea salt and seaweed products.

Hebridean Adventures get a Humpback Whale Match!

Thanks to the fantastic photographs taken by the team at Hebridean Adventures, a humpback whale spotted last May off the Isle of Lewis, has been re-sighted in the Minch again, just over one year later!

SightingsCaroline Willis23 June 2021whale track, whale, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, Hebrides, scotland, citizen science, sightings, photo ID, get involved, Sightings, report your sightings, Whale Track, Humpback whale

Killer whale update: John Coe and pal are spotted in the English Channel again

Well-known killer whale John Coe from the West Coast Community has been spotted of the English coast again, this time seen off Dover, in the English Channel. John Coe was seen with a second individual, likely to be Aquarius.

In the News, Sightings, Science & ResearchCaroline Willis14 June 2021whales, dolphins, Whale Track, sightings, coronavirus, citizenscience, get involved, minke whale, killer whale, John Coe killer whale, John Coe, aquarius, killer whales, West Coast Community, scottish killer whales

Connecting with the Future: Digital Classroom a Success

Connecting young people with their marine environment inspires future stewardship. During British Science Week, we engaged with over 350 pupils all across Scotland, sharing knowledge of the whales and dolphins seen off our coasts and championing pathways for working in conservation.

Events & OutreachCaroline Willis1 April 2021environmental education, education, Education programme, marine conservation, conservation, young people, school workshops, school visits, Primary School, scotland, feel inspired, inspiring the future, next generation, Hebrides, digital learning, digital education, zoom teaching

Live Q&A Sessions for Primary Schools

Find out more about this amazing opportunity for schools in Scotland to work with HWDT online and discover more about careers in marine science and conservation!

HWDT’s Floating Classroom goes Digital

Discover more about HWDT’s new digital resources for schools, based around our acclaimed ‘Floating Classroom’ workshops.

Top Tips for Great Wildlife Encounters

We are amazed by all the incredible sightings you folks have been having recently. See our 10 top tips for how to have the best marine wildlife encounters, whilst keeping the welfare of these amazing animals at the forefront of our minds.