Scottish whale watching trails receives major funding

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Scottish whale watching trails receives major funding

August 23, 2017 - 17:54
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As part of wider plans to regenerate coastal communities, the Scottish Government has awarded a grant of nearly GB£200,000 to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) to create a network of whale-watching sites around Scotland’s west coast.

The killer whale or orca (Orcinus orca) is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member.

Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is a marine conservation charity that takes action through a unique programme of community based research and education. This two pronged approach ignites strong local stewardship and supports meaningful change for the conservation of Hebridean cetaceans and marine life.

Prime whale-watch destination

It is hoped that funding will help the organisation create the Hebridean Whale Trail, a developing network of 25 fantastic whale-watching and whale heritage sites across the west coast of Scotland, where the creatures are attracted by mineral-rich waters warmed by the Gulf Stream and to further promote the area as one of Europe’s best whale-watch destinations. Of the world’s 83 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises, 24 species have been recorded in the waters off the west coast of Scotland in recent years.

As well as the grant to HWDT, Dumfries and Galloway Council has been awarded £300,000 to create 64 miles of coastal paths at the Rhins peninsula.

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