Chanonry Point is one of the best spots in the UK to view
bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus from the land. The dolphins are often visible off Chanonry point, particularly on an incoming tide when they play and fish in the strong currents. Other wildlife, including
porpoises and
grey seals, can also regularly be spotted.
European otters (
Lutra lutra) are occasional visitors. The Ness is home to two camping and
caravan sites towards the north. Most of the promontory is taken up by Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club. Due to the popularity of the dolphins at Chanonry point, the parking area and roads leading up to the beach have become more and more congested during the summer months, causing concerns amongst local residents. The death of Coinneach Odhar, more commonly known as the
Brahan Seer, is commemorated by a memorial stone on the spot not far from where he is reputed to have been brutally executed.
Watching dolphins While bottlenose dolphins can be seen off the point throughout the year, the chances of seeing them increase when their food supply increases, the peak times being when
salmon are returning towards the two main rivers (the
Ness and
Beauly) which feed into the Moray Firth. The salmon come in with the tidal current which, once the
tide starts to come in, can be extreme. If planning a trip, find tide details and pick days with midday low tides with the largest difference between low and high tide (spring tides, avoid the neap tides). An unofficial "jungle telegraph" system operates round the Rosemarkie
campsite and point in June and on into August with details of the latest sightings only a brief conversation away. The
University of Aberdeen operates a more formal range of surveys throughout the year from their field station based just along the coast at
Cromarty, supported by funds from the
Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. While the Point is regarded by many people as the best place to watch the dolphins from land, licensed boat trips do run from Cromarty,
Avoch and
Inverness. The nearby Dolphin and Seal Centre at
North Kessock also offers good dolphin watching opportunities during the summer months.
Photographing dolphins Midsummer offers the best light for photography of
bottlenose dolphins at the point, from late afternoon onwards. While early morning light is good, the direction of the point risks looking directly into the sun. The point has been featured in recent years on a wide range of television programmes, including the
BBC's
Coast series and nature programmes. These have greatly increased visitor numbers to the point. The
wildlife requires no special equipment, but those looking for serious photography should pack a fast 200 mm to 300 mm lens. ==Getting there==