Established in 1989 Gairloch Marine Life Centre & Cruises is one of the longest running marine wildlife operators in Europe and has the longest running porpoise survey world-wide. We offer scenic and wildlife survey cruises around Gairloch, on the magnificent west coast of the Highlands of Scotland, with the emphasis on research and education. As Ian is a Marine Biologist, much of our time is spent researching marine mammal behaviour. As part of our ongoing research with Sea Watch Foundation and Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust all sightings during our cruises are recorded and input into our onboard computer. As well as being used for our own research purposes this important data is also shared with scientists and statisticians as part of their ongoing cetacean studies. We are the only marine wildlife cruise operator in the area to be accredited by both the Scottish Marine Wildlife Operators Association and WISE Scheme and comply with the marine wildlife operators’ code of conduct. We are also members of the SeaWatch Foundation and Wild Scotland. Our monitoring and data collection is funded only by wildlife cruises offered between Easter and September each year. The cruises aim to inform and educate visitors about our marine environment and the animals and birds found in and around it.

   

We also have a wildlife information centre, with no charge for entry, which offers interpretive and interactive displays for all visitors including visiting tourists, local people, wildlife groups, school and university parties, businesses such as wildlife photographers, television companies and journalists all with a keen interest in the wildlife in our area.