Mark McKerral | Coaching and Guiding- Sea Kayaking, Whitewater Kayaking, Canoeing and Coach Education

Whether canoeing on inland lochs and rivers, sea kayaking along the coast or out island hopping; the West Coast of Scotland offers brilliant opportunities to see a variety of wildlife.

On the coast Seals are a common sighting, they are known to be quite curious creatures and often come close to boats. There are two types of seal that can be found in Scottish waters the common seal, or harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and the larger grey seal (Halichoerus grypus).

If you are very lucky Otters (Lutra lutra) can sometimes be sighted too, on the coast and inland, but a bit of quiet and patience is required to get a sighting of these shy animals.

A huge variety of sea birds can be found on the West Coast. Cormorants are common sighting, either fishing or perched on rocks drying their wings. Gulls, Terns, Oyster catchers and Plovers are also frequently seen while out Sea Kayaking. The mountainous terrain on the West Coast of Scotland provides a perfect habitat for Golden Eagles and the reintroduced Sea Eagle, so it is always worth keeping a look out over the hills too.

For the more experienced paddler wanting to travel further a field the waters around Mull and the Small Isles provide frequent sightings of Dolphins, Porpoises, Minke whale and even Basking Shark.