Neist Point in Glendale is undisputedly the finest place on the Isle of Skye for watching whales, dolphins, porpoise and basking shark, with pods being resident from May through to September. The peak months are June and July, when sightings of Minke Whales become almost a daily event.
The Minke Whales often approach within 5 to 10 metres of the shore, giving spectacular views and the amazing opportunity to hear them 'blow' as they surface.
To get the best views, choose a day when the sea is flat calm and pick your way carefully to the water's edge between the end of the point and the lighthouse. Find a comfortable rock, with a good view either side, sit and wait... patiently!
Minke Whales often carry distinguishing marks, such as the one in the photograph (top right) that has a red, diagonal scar (\) on its left flank below the dorsal fin. Their commonest colouration is jet black but some individuals, believed to be juveniles, appear blueish with pale flanks.
For the closest views, Neist Point is the best place on Skye. They are also regularly seen off Lower Milovaig and have come inside Loch Pooltiel.
Common Dolphins are regularly seen in the Minch off Lower Milovaig and also off Neist Point during the summer months. They are also seen occasionally in Loch Dunvegan as far up as the Three Chimneys at Colbost.
These are the basic features that distinguish Glendale's commonest cetaceans:
There was a minke whale surfacing close to shore at Neist amongst a big flock of feeding seabirds. A second minke whale was south of Neist towards Canna. There were also 2-3 harbour porpoises making close passes at Neist.
There were four minke whales around Neist Point at mid-day. Three were initially south towards Canna and two of those came north past Neist, each with a close, single surface beside the point. The fourth minke was west of Neist towards Benbecula. There were also at least two harbour porpoises at Neist.
There were two minke whales south of Neist that made a close pass of the point at 2:25pm. They surfaced side-by-side which is something we have never seen before. A third minke whale was over towards South Uist. There were also three or four harbour porpoises around Neist that also made close passes.
More recent wildlife sightings
Killer whales are occasionally seen off the Neist Point and Milovaig. They have a distinctive large, upright dorsal fin.
Harbour Porpoises are most often seen in the mouth of Loch Pooltiel, off Meanish Pier, with pods of up to 12 being present throughout the Summer. Another fairly good place for them is Moonen Bay, very close inshore, at the point where Loch Mor flows into the sea.
Basking sharks are Britain's largest fish and are totally unrelated to true sharks. They float around with their white, dustbin-like mouths wide open hoovering up plankton.
They are very common in the sheltered coves around Neist, Oisgill and Milovaig during the Summer months.