Amazing Acrobatic Scottish Dolphins

STUNNING images of three super cute Bottlenose dolphins performing acrobatics through the air have been captured off the coast of the Scottish Highlands.

The incredible shots show the mammals having a splashing good time as they take it in turns to joyfully flip through the air before re-emerging into the water. One shot shows one dolphin poking its head out of the water as if cheering its friend on.

The spectacular series was taken at Moray Firth, Scottish Highlands by conservation photographer, Peter Cairns (53) from Kingussie, Scotland for the project, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture. To take the images, Peter used a Canon camera.

“These images come from a wider, longer-term project, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, which uses different media platforms to articulate and amplify the case for a wilder Scotland,” said Peter.

“The bottlenose dolphins of the Moray Firth are ambassadors for the marine environment and this population – the only remaining resident dolphins in the North Sea – are in many ways, a barometer for our relationship with nature as a whole.

“The dolphins don’t come close to shore every day and when they do they don’t always breach.

“There’s no substitute then for just turning up day after day and waiting. With a bit of perseverance, things often come good.”

According to the Sea Watch Foundation, there are approximately 130 bottlenose dolphins in the Moray and Cromarty Firths.

Peter says that the best thing about the location has nothing to do with photography but people’s reactions.

“The best thing about this particular location has nothing to do with photography, it’s the shrieks of delight and the joy on people’s faces when the dolphins perform like this,” added Peter.

“This is a large marine predator going about its natural business just a few metres away from a popular beach.

“These days I shoot almost exclusively at home in Scotland and every image I take has to fit into the wider narrative of informing and inspiring an audience about the impact we’ve had on the natural world.

“How with a shift in mindset, that impact can be slowed, reversed and channelled towards a more positive future for both wildlife and human life.”