July 22nd 2024.
During a peaceful cruise through the scenic Gunna Sound, guests aboard a Hebrides Cruises vessel were in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they encountered not one, but two humpback whales. What made this encounter even more special was that one of the whales, named Sinclair, had never been seen before in Scottish waters. The excitement among the guests was palpable as they watched these majestic creatures swim gracefully underneath their boat.
Hannah Lightley, the Wildlife Guide for Hebrides Cruises, recalls the thrilling moment when one of the guests spotted a large blow in the distance. As they approached the spot, she confirmed it to be a humpback whale, causing a wave of squeals and excitement on board. The whale then surfaced multiple times, showcasing its impressive tail flukes. But the excitement didn't end there, as the boat's skipper, Alasdair, spotted another humpback whale in the opposite direction. The crew quickly changed course and headed towards the second whale, which was busy tail slapping.
The boat was now 13 miles away from Gunna Sound, in the midst of deep waters. As they got closer to the second whale, they switched off the engines and were in for a surprise as the humpback whale approached the boat and even swam right under it. Hannah describes it as an incredible encounter, with the whale seemingly associating with the boat. Photos of the encounter were later sent to Lyndsay McNeill, who manages the Scottish Humpback Whale catalogue, and it was confirmed that the first whale was named "Barrett" and was the 100th whale in the catalogue. The second whale, however, was a new sighting and was named "Sinclair" after the boat's skipper.
Expert whale watcher, Lyndsay, explains that while humpback whale sightings are rare in Scottish waters, they have been increasing in recent years. With around 10 new individuals being spotted each year, many of which are identified as being from Iceland, it is clear that these magnificent creatures are making their presence known in Scottish waters. Lyndsay also mentions the technique of "Photo-ID" which uses the unique tail fluke patterns of each whale to identify them and track their movements.
Humpback whales are known to migrate through Scottish waters as they travel between their feeding and breeding grounds. And much of what we know about these creatures is thanks to the efforts of "citizen scientists" who report their sightings and use Photo-ID to contribute to our understanding of these animals. It is truly a collaborative effort that helps us appreciate and protect these magnificent creatures. To read more stories about wildlife, you can visit the Scottish Field website and subscribe to their latest issue.
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