We took a five-hour whale search and wildlife watching trip in the Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation and Marine Protected Area with Sealife Adventures who run tours from their pontoon on the mainland near Oban. The tour was led by Marine biologist David Ainsley who set up Sealife Adventures in 1988.

Within the first five minutes of the tour, we came across small islands with basking Grey Seals.

Black-backed & Common Gulls, Common Terns, Cormorants, Grey Herons, Razor Bills, Shags, Storm Petrels, Northern Gannets and White-tailed eagles were spotted.

Dolphins made a brief appearance and some of the 500 odd wild goats of Jura with shaggy coats and curved swept-back horns were seen grazing on sea weeds near the shore.

Lunch during the cruise was smoked-salmon sandwiches, chocolates and coffee. On the way back Port na Mine, we stopped at a pub for beers and single malt whisky.

We had Chilli con Carne, rice, tacos and salads for dinner and drank Vina Ardanza Reserva 2009 en magnum and Talisker single malt whisky.

Published 14 August 2025