Watch a whale in Scotland

There is nothing quite like the majestic sight of a whale emerging from the sea, but it is not necessary to trek all the way over to somewhere like Alaska, as whales can be spotted much closer to home.

Locals on the Banffshire Coast in Scotland have known for years that you can catch the spectacle of a number of whales and other fascinating marine life in the nearby sea, and now tourists are making their way to enjoy the sights as well.

A trip to the Banffshire Coast in north-east Scotland can reward the budding whale-watcher with sightings of a menagerie of whales, including pilot, humpback, killer and minke whales.

It is also worth paying a visit to Castle Park, where you can walk underneath a huge whalebone arch, which is taken from a blue whale. Popular belief says the whalebone has been at the site for 150 years, meaning that the Banffshire Coast has been a favourite visiting place for whales for many years.

It is not just whales that are fond of going for a swim in the seas off the Banffshire Coast – dolphins can regularly be spotted there too.

The nearby Moray Firth is home to around 130 bottlenose dolphins, and scores of these can regularly been seen on the coastline. Swimming with them is not ideal because the waters are so cold, but the impressive, impromptu acrobatic displays are worth hanging around for.

For more information about the Banffshire Coast and Castle Park, visit www.banffshirecoast.com and www.castleofpark.net respectively.XXX