New snorkel trail launched in North Harris
The North Harris Snorkel Trail showcases six stunning beaches and bays where beginner and advanced snorkellers can see an impressive variety of marine life including crabs, jellyfish and starfish.
The self-led trail has been developed in partnership with the North Harris Trust as part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Living Seas programme.
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Hide AdIt is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the National Marine Aquarium, and has been inspired by the North West Highlands Snorkel Trail, which was launched by the Scottish Wildlife Trust in 2016.
North Harris Trust Ranger Darryl Brown said: “Every year we have an increasing number of people visiting Harris to see our abundant wildlife and this new snorkel trail is an exciting way to help create an even richer experience.
The trail is designed to show off our diverse range of marine life and habitats. I hope visitors and locals alike will explore the trail, have fun and be inspired to learn more about issues facing our marine ecosystems.”
Noel Hawkins, Living Seas Communities Officer, Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “The North West Highlands Snorkel Trail has captured international interest and brought much greater attention to the rich range of marine life we have in the area.
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Hide Ad“We were delighted to be involved in the development of this new trail in a spectacular part of the Western Isles. I’m sure it will encourage more people to explore the fragile habitats below the waves and the marine life they support, and raise awareness of the need for healthy living seas all around Scotland.”
Four featured locations on the North Harris Snorkel Trail
Hushinish - A stunning beach with small rocky reefs that harbour fish, crabs and urchins. Large shoals of sandeels can be seen between the reefs. Advanced snorkellers can explore kelp beds that are home to large pollack and urchins.
Carragraich Bay - Explore kelp covered reefs, sandy patches and cliff faces within a relatively small area. Colourful algae encrust the rock faces, and the fronds of kelp shelter urchins, crabs, fish and the occasional lobster.
Port Rhenigidale - A small inlet with beautiful views across to the Isle of Skye. Clear water and rich marine life awaits beneath the waves, with plenty of different fish and crustaceans to see.
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Hide AdÀird Asaig - The sandy seabed is fringed with different species of algae, which offers a great opportunity to see crabs and starfish including sunstars.
Five special marine species to discover on the North Harris Snorkel Trail
Stalked jellyfish - most species of jellyfish float through the water but stalked jellyfish stay fixed to one spot. They cling to fronds of seaweed or seagrass and use their tentacles to stun prey and as self-defence.
Hermit crab - small crabs that occupy the empty shells of snails and other creatures. Their soft bodies are suited to spiral shells.
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Hide AdSunstars - A surprising variety of starfish inhabit Scotland’s seas, including common starfish, sunstars and brittlestars. Common sunstars have between eight and fourteen legs.
Sandeels - thin silvery fish that resemble small eels. Sandeels are a vital source of food for many seabirds such as puffins, as well as other fish and marine mammals.
Beadlet anemone - the familiar ‘red blobs’ we see exposed at low tide are actually a swirling mass of up to 192 tentacles. Individual anemones physically fight for space when conditions get crowded.
For more information on the North Harris Snorkel Trail visit: website