NG2449 : Seals hauled out on a skerry in Loch Dunvegan
taken 9 years ago, near to Uiginish/Uiginis, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Seals hauled out on a skerry in Loch Dunvegan
Paddling out from a launch about a kilometre north of Dunvegan Castle, we skirted the northern tip of this skerry on our way out to the bay. Had we guessed that there were seals hauled out, we'd have given it a wider berth, but in fact, they proved remarkably unstartled as we passed. This seems to be due to the frequency with which wildlife viewing tours in motorised boats pass round the loch, so that they have grown accustomed to tourists with cameras. Almost silently passing in sea kayaks, we were regarded as quite harmless. One or two popped into the water, and many more followed us, ever curious, as we passed other islands.
Seat of the MacLeods of Dunvegan since 12th Century, probably the oldest inhabited dwelling in Scotland. Dr Johnson and James Boswell were guests there in September 1773 [Read Samuel Johnson: A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland, 1775}