Shetland Otter Watching
Within minutes of meeting him I knew he also had an empathy for wildlife which only comes with years of experience gained from watching and following animals closely… excellent local knowledge and field craft… Otters are not easy to find let alone follow, but Brydon was able to read the signs and locate them quickly… Manuel Hinge (BBC Wildlife Film maker)
Otter-watching in Shetland is a speciality of ours – in fact, during recent years, we’ve had a 100% success rate on all our dedicated full day otter watching tours. This reflects the intimate local knowledge of our guiding staff, and is something we are intensely proud of.
Our Shetland guides have the immeasurable advantage of watching and following otters and their families all year round, from the point at which the cubs are first brought above ground to the time when they leave their mothers to find a territory of their own. From the cold and dull winter days through to the almost continuous midsummer daylight, studying these wonderfully captivating animals is a constant passion for us.
Using a winning combination of our experience and intimate knowledge of the local environment, we can offer a realistic chance of genuinely enthralling otter watching experiences, far and away surpass that of other operators who usually rely on a chance and often distant sighting from a crowded minibus by the roadside.
There is, quite simply, no better way to capture the essence of Shetland wilderness than at a vantage point on the shore of a stretch of remote, beautiful coastline, watching otters. Shetland is one of the best places in Europe to watch otters in the wild and boasts some of the highest densities in the British Isles but, despite this, they are notoriously elusive and often hard to find. Many tourists hoping to simply ‘bump into’ an otter go home disappointed.
Knowing when, where and how to look for these wonderful little mammals is essential, not just for the observer experience but more importantly to avoid disturbance. Choosing to spend a day or two with an expert guide will offer unique and exclusive opportunities to watch otters in the wild, learn about their behaviour and search for the tracks and signs that reveal their presence.
Please Note: Otters are protected by law. We operate under an Animal Conservation Licence authorised by Scottish Natural Heritage. This ensures that we uphold stringent standards of minimal disturbance with respect to the otters, their behaviour and sensitivity, and their environment.
Cost & Booking Information
One-day tours (duration approximately 6-8 hours)
To maximise your otter watching experience we allow a maximum of two persons per trip. In some cases, special arrangements can be made to accommodate a small group of experienced wildlife watchers.
Cost: £85 per person, lunches and transport included. Please note that rates may be higher for one client, if taken alone.
Departure: Since otters in Shetland tend to be most active during low tide we recommend that trip times and duration are arranged on booking.
Bespoke otter watching packages
For clients wishing to indulge themselves and further explore the secret lives of our elusive otters, we can arrange exclusive longer trips to suit your needs at any time of year. This is thoroughly recommended for photographers and dedicated otter-watchers.