Partnership to protect whales raises over £2K

Hebridean Adventures have raised a staggering £2,244 to protect Scottish whales and dolphins.  The Stornoway-based small-boat cruising company donated the money last year to local conservation charity, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT). 

“Becoming an official charity partner of the HWDT was an obvious next step for us last year in our desire to be able to work even more closely with the staff and researchers, and to provide more direct financial support for the very important work they are undertaking in the seas surrounding the Hebrides where we operate our wildlife watching cruises and tours. We are so pleased our 2021 inaugural fundraising cruise was fully supported by our guests on board and look forward to filling the boat again this year in August for our second annual HWDT whale and dolphin cruise. We will soon start booking for 2023 also! This season we are also providing all our guests with the option to donate to HWDT at the time of booking on all our other Hebridean Adventures cruises to.” Paul Sharman, Hebridean Adventures - Business Development Manager.

The west coast of Scotland is an important area for whales, dolphins, and porpoises – with a quarter of the total global species recorded there.  However, these creatures face growing threats and challenges: from climate change and habitat degradation to entanglement and noise pollution.      

The support from Hebridean Adventures will help HWDT continue its mission to conserve whales, dolphins, and porpoises – collectively known as cetaceans - through robust science, inspirational education, and meaningful engagement, so that they thrive in harmony alongside coastal communities. 

“HWDT’s work is vital to increasing the understanding of whales, dolphins and porpoises off the west coast of Scotland and raising awareness of how special Hebridean seas are.  We are very grateful to Hebridean Adventures and their guests for their support. Working together is an important part of the HWDT ethos and we look forward to continuing our partnership.” Alison Lomax, HWDT Director

Hebridean Adventures, operating out of Stornoway, are the only cruise operator based in the North Minch area, a recognised hotspot for cetacean activity in Europe. From sea to shore, Hebridean Adventures offer fully guided Scottish whale, dolphin and wildlife watching cruises, day trips by boat and minibus, as well as full private charters of their boat, the MV Monadhliath, that sleeps up to 9 people.

The partnership between HWDT and Hebridean Adventures is based on a shared passion for Hebridean seas and cetaceans, and the important role of biological recording and citizen science in conservation.  Over the course of 2021, Hebridean Adventures reported 524 sightings of cetaceans through Whale Track, including a notable encounter with a humpback whale in May – the same whale that they also reported in the same area in May 2020 and which has since been named ‘Halle’ after Muriel Halle, their guide on both occasions! 

Whale Track is a community of citizen scientists – including the crew on board Hebridean Adventures - monitoring whales and dolphins on the west coast of Scotland. These sightings help track the movements of coastal species such as bottlenose dolphins and uncover the mysteries of rare visitors including humpback and killer whales.  Anyone can join in and help deepen the understanding of the Hebridean marine environment, visit www.whaletrack.hwdt.org to find out more information. 

Hebridean Adventures are gearing up to welcome people on board their cruises to explore Hebridean seas.  There is a specific fundraising cruise planned for August, where 15% of the profit will be donated to HWDT to help them continue their mission.  For more information, visit www.hebrideanadventures.co.uk