There is a real abundance of wildlife in this area - both in the air, on land and in the water! Here are just a few you might see while you’re with us - just to whet the appetite a bit!

For otter spotting you are ideally located at the White Heather, with the Bright Water Visitor Centre just next door. They organise daily guided tours of Eilean Bàn (the island where Gavin Maxwell lived and the Skye Bridge now lands on before reaching Skye) which is an Otter Haven with several hides, while back at the Centre they have hands-on interactive displays and plenty of information on the wildlife in the area. The otters themselves often hang around the harbour and pier, hunting amongst the seaweed and kelp, although it often takes patience and good fortune to actually spot them!

Last year we were also honoured with several dolphin displays off the end of the pier - again, it’s a case of being in the right place at the right time - unfortunately they don’t announce their presence with a loud speaker, so if you’re not looking they could, and often do, swim by un-noticed! There are also seal colonies on the islands under the Bridge and around the coast here, so any boat trip you go on will probably bring you quite close to these inquisitive creatures, although obviously guarantees can’t be made! Having said that, Calum’s Seal Trips from Plockton offer your money back if you don’t get to see them - how can you lose!

There are a wide variety of birds of prey around the area, often spotted sitting on fence posts next to the road!! It’s amazing what you can spot when you’re looking - bring your binoculars and a camera!

The Aros Centre has a live web cam link to a Sea Eagle nest and they provide information on the current conservation projects concerning this beautiful bird of prey. They can often be spotted while on one of the boat trips - so stay alert!

As a Hotel we are keen to support conservation efforts and to this end our first step has been to become a Corporate Supporter of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. We have newsletters, updates and information on the Trust available for guests to read and we hope you get the opportunity to see some of these wonderful creatures while you are here. The Trust covers the whole of the Hebrides which includes more than 50 islands and it carries out vital research and conservation work throughout the year. An astonishing 24 whale/dolphin species have been seen in these waters, including the following: Minke, Orca, Basking Shark (2nd largest fish at approximately 9 m!!), Risso’s Dolphin, Bottle Nosed Dolphin, Harbour Porpoise, Common Dolphin, Sperm Whale and the list goes on. Unfortunately, many of these elusive mammals are under considerable threat and desperately need our help.

There are also conservation projects to help maintain and increase the Golden Eagle population. Across the south east of Skye there are several eeries and a small population of these majestic birds of prey. With the proposed (not yet approved) reduction in conifer plantations and removal of deer fencing, it is hoped that the reclaimed moorland and rejuvinated native woodlands will enlarge the natural habitat of the various indigenous species, including Ptarmigan, Black Grouse and of course the Golden Eagle.