Otter hotspots in Scotland

With their big whiskers and muzzle, and starring role in well-loved stories, such as Tarka the Otter and Ring of Bright Water, the otter is one of our favourite animals, but very few of us have ever seen one. You might not know that there are in fact several places across Scotland from Galloway to Shetland that offer a good chance of seeing one of these fab, fun, furry creatures for yourself.

 

You might be lucky enough to chance upon an otter in the most surprising place - they have been spotted on the Water of Leith in the centre of Edinburgh - but you’ve got a good chance not far away in the Scottish Borders at Philiphaugh Estate. At the salmon viewing centre you can see salmon, grayling, sea trout, brown trout and even eels up close using special underwater cameras.

 

Otter hotspots include Mull, Skye (setting for Ring of Bright Water), Hebridean islands such as Barra and Colonsay, Orkney and Shetland, especially the island of Yell. So stroll along a beach early one morning and you may chance upon an otter having a wash or fishing. Look out for the tell-tale signs - when diving and swimming underwater otters gradually let their breath out, leaving a distinctive chain of bubbles. As otters breed all year round and the growing cubs stay with their mum for over a year gaining hunting skills, there is always a possibility of stumbling across a family at play.