From the Moray Firth to Aberdeen harbour, there are plenty places across the north and north-east of Scotland where you are almost always guaranteed to spot wildlife at sea.
But one organisation is on a mission to find out if there are spots we are missing – and ensure no watch points are left undiscovered.
The Sea Watch Foundation recently carried out a survey of 700 sites across the UK.
Numerous surprise sightings were made, including bottle nose dolphins at Liverpool Bay and harbour porpoise off the Suffolk coast.
“We recently processed a huge amount of data from Sea Watchers at almost 700 sites around our coasts, but we noticed that we’re missing some pretty big gaps in certain places,” said Kathy James, sightings officer.
“There’s a wealth of marine mammals out there and it’s thanks to the general public that we can build up a picture of what’s where.
“You don’t need to be a scientist or a whale expert to help, we just need a little of your time.”
The organisation is now looking for new Sea Watchers to dedicate just half an hour of their time per watch between July 26 and August 3.
Official watch points have been set up at – Noss, Shetland, date TBC; Sandwick, Shetland, July 30; Sumburgh head, Shetland, August 2; Hoxa Head, South Ronaldsay, Orkney, July 26; Marwick Head, Kitcheners Memorial, Orkney, August 3; Strathy Point, North Sutherland, July 28;
Dunnet Head RSPB reserve, Caithness, July 31;
Burghead Headland Lookout, Moray Firth, July 26.
No official watch points have been set up in the north-east yet – but organisers are encouraging anyone with any ideas about where they could be organised across the entire region to get in touch.
“We have a network of regional co-ordinators ready to train you up as a Sea Watcher and then you’ll be able to help us watch from even more sites around the UK,” said Ms James.
“Even if you think that your nearest coastline is uneventful, your records will teach us whether this is actually true.”
For more information e-mail kathy.james@seawatchfoundation.org.uk or call 01545 561227.