Guests on many of our 2015 cruises will be invited to take part in important research on the distribution of the larger marine animals which we encounter on our voyages throughout the Hebrides. This is possible because we are delighted that Vivi Bolin will be coming on board as onboard and onshore Guide for our guests. Vivi is a biologist with a masters degree in conservation biology and a personal passion for seabirds and cetaceans. She is expert in spotting and identifying whales and dolphins.
Cetaceans, seals and basking sharks as well as sunfish sightings will be recorded using Logger, software used by scientists across the world. Vivi will record sightings, and guests will also have the unique opportunity to get involved if they wish. The data recorded during the cruises will be shared with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust to feed into important scientific analysis. Passengers with SLR cameras will also be encouraged to take photographs of dorsal fins; good quality shots are very valuable to scientists as the pictures can be used to track individual whales and dolphins.
Vivi worked for the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and BirdWatch Ireland and moved to Mull to work for the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. Vivi is from Finland and currently living on the Isle of Mull.
Thank you very much for another lovely holiday on the Elizabeth G. This was a short cruise but we packed in some good walking in some beautiful locations. We still saw a lot of wildlife including two sea eagles sat on a beach! Chris, our skipper, was brilliant getting the ship in relatively close to shore so that we could see them through our binoculars and take some photos without disturbing the birds. We also saw otters, deer and loads of birds. The crew were as fantastic as ever, the new ensuite cabins are luxury with comfy beds and thoughtful touches with lights just in the right place when in bed reading, lots of storage and the vegetarian food was perfect! Great crew, nice fellow guests, wonderful food and a lot of laughs with wildlife sightings mixed in! Perfect and yes I have booked again!
Melanie Rogers: 5 October 2019Inner Hebrides Big 5 Autumn Wildlife Cruise