Ullapool tour guide ‘blown away’ after spotting creature in Highland waters
AN Ullapool tour boat operator was “blown away” after spotting this creature in west Highland shores.
Yesterday (August 13), local boat tour guide Noel Hawkins of Shearwater Cruises spotted one of the largest underwater species by the Summer Isles, near Achiltibuie — a humpback whale.
“Each trip just got better [yesterday],” Noel said, having earlier seen dolphins in clear seas and two minke whales. “It was tail slapping for ages, then fin slapping. It also did a couple of breaches lunging too, but I didn’t manage to catch it on video, although I’m hoping someone else on the boat did!”
As explained by the International Whaling Commission, humpback whales are found in every ocean and are known for their “surface active behaviour”, which can includes breaching (leaping clear of the water), flipper or tail slapping and it’s occasional curiosity around tour boats. Adults usually measure to be around 11.5 to 15 metres, with a weight of 25 to 30 tonnes.
Noel, who has worked with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), continued: “Having attended disengagements and been very close to humpback whales, I know the size and strength…but this was amazing. The sounds can’t be described — it was just pure energy. We were almost worried that it might be entangled initially, but then we saw it turned over and continued, before moving off and swimming freely, thankfully.
“Evan as someone who considers themselves experienced with these animals…this was something else. I’m still quite blown away.”
Got a story to share? Email iona.macdonald@hnmedia.co.uk