Dolphin and seal centre, North Kessock

The Moray Firth dolphins are very important as they are one of only three known resident populations along the British coastline. The others are at Cardigan Bay and off the Cornish Coast. Bottlenose dolphins can travel great distances, and individuals from the Moray Firth have been spotted at Aberdeen, St Andrews and the Firth of Forth.

Researchers from Aberdeen University have now identified over 130 individual dolphins but numbers appear to be declining and may be facing extinction. As a result, the Moray Firth has been established as Special Area of Conservation (SAC) to try and improve the dolphins' environment.

The best places to see the dolphins are around the deep water narrows at North Kessock, Chanonry Point at Fortrose, and the Sutors at Cromarty. In the summer the dolphins use these sites as breeding or feeding areas. You can also take special dolphin-spotting cruises from Avoch and Cromarty.

In the Dolphin and Seal Centre in the car park at North Kessock, as well as spotting dolphins, you can listen to their sounds using headphones. Underwater microphones pick up the sounds and relay them to amplifiers in the centre. You can also get up-to-date sightings and tide tables at the centre.