Dramatic underwater landscapes and marine life along the north-west coast of the Highlands are about to become the region’s latest tourist attraction in a Scottish first.
And this secret world beneath the waves has been described as being “up there” with coral reefs in warmer climes.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) is launching its new snorkel trail at Ullapool Harbour tomorrow.
Nine beaches and bays on the coast of Wester Ross and Sutherland are included in the North West Highlands Snorkel Trail, with highlighted locations including Tanera Mor in the Summer Isles, Camusnagaul and Achmelvich Bay.
And snorkellers will be able to dive down to see a wide variety of marine life, including dogfish, barrel jellyfish and sea urchins.
The new trail forms part of SWT’s Living Seas programme, which is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
The trust’s Living Seas communities officer Noel Hawkins said the coast of Wester Ross and Sutherland featured some fantastic sheltered headlands and beaches that were great places for snorkelling.
He said: “The new trail is self-led, but we are hoping to establish a training programme for local people to become qualified snorkel instructors and a snorkel club at the local leisure centre to introduce younger members of the community to snorkelling and their local marine environment.
“Scotland needs healthy living seas that can adapt to climate change.
“The snorkel trail will encourage more people to explore the fragile habitats below the waves and the marine life they support, whilst also helping to raise awareness of the need to protect them.”
The trust is encouraging people to follow safety advice, including being aware of tides and the weather forecast, and never snorkelling alone.
British Sub Aqua Club instructor trainer Lizzie Bird said: “Lots of people might think it’s too cold to snorkel in Scotland, but the colours and life under the surface in places like the north-west coast are up there with the coral reefs you can find abroad.”
She added that anyone could snorkel at any age as long as they were confident in the water.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop MSP said: “The snorkel trail is an innovative approach to marine and coastal planning that encourages use of existing infrastructure to help tourism diversification like this.”
