Stornoway, Isle of Lewis - 7th April 2021 – Stornoway-based specialist whale, dolphin and wildlife-watching cruise operator Hebridean Adventures, are delighted to announce they are teaming up with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) as an official supporting Charity Partner from this season onwards. Hebridean Adventures are the only cruise operator based in the North Minch area, a recognised hotspot for cetacean activity in Europe, and as such already provide the HWDT with important cetacean sightings data and photographs from all their excursions out to sea each year. This new charity partnership will support the conservation work of HWDT further by way of a new annual fundraising cruise (already sold out for July 2021 but booking now for 2022). Moreover, every guest who joins another regular cruise this season will be gifted a HWDT membership by Hebridean Adventures.

Hebridean Adventures owner David Lambie said, “We can't wait to inform our cruise guests this season about the huge commitment and tremendous work that HWDT bring to helping cetaceans and the Scottish marine environment. They are at the forefront of scientific and conservation monitoring and research in our region and it is a delight therefore to be able to give something back to such a deserving organisation.”

This partnership will engage with the public, highlighting the work of HWDT conservation projects and the efforts being made to protect the habitats and species living in the region, i.e. the seas located off the west coast of Scotland out as far as the Outer Hebrides and the remote St Kilda archipelago, the UK's only dual UNESCO World Heritage site. Hebridean Adventures will also educate visitors on the vital role of biological recording and citizen science in developing a better understanding of the lives of the species and their role within the diverse ecosystems that exist locally in this area of Scotland. This will utilise the HWDT's own publicly available Whale Track mobile phone app, showing guests on-board how to use it to record details of every cetacean sighting which is then submitted electronically to the Trust, as well as giving instruction on how to capture the perfect photograph of individual animals seen to help researchers build a database of sightings.

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust's Director Alison Lomax stated, “We are looking forward to working with Hebridean Adventures to raise awareness of Hebridean cetaceans and our conservation work with their guests. Their support will provide vital funds for our research and conservation programme and valuable sightings information from tours and cruises. It is fantastic to partner with an organisation that shares our values and passion for Hebridean seas and wildlife.”

'From sea to shore', Hebridean Adventures offer fully-guided Scottish whale, dolphin and wildlife watching cruises, activity cruises, boat day trips as well as private charters around the islands of the Outer Hebrides. Their Scottish cruises offer choices of visiting St Kilda, the Isle of Skye, the Small Isles, the Shiants and Summer Isles, the Minch and the scenic west coast of the Highlands. Some of the amazing wildlife you can expect to see may include whales, dolphins, puffins, eagles, otters, seals, basking sharks and many, many more marine and coastal wildlife species. Enjoy shore excursions to go exploring plus anchoring overnight in beautiful and remote places. They also offer guided wildlife day trips around the Isle of Lewis by minibus from their base in Stornoway. Find out more at www.hebrideanadventures.co.uk .

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If you would like more information about any of the above please contact Paul Sharman, Business Development Manager, Hebridean Adventures - paul@hebrideanadventures.co.uk or on 07948 730887.

For more information on the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust - https://hwdt.org

For more information on the Whale Track app - https://whaletrack.hwdt.org

Attachment: MV Monadhliath, Hebridean Adventures' wildlife-watching boat leaving the Shiant Isles.