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Whales, dolphins and porpoises all belong to a single group of marine mammals called the cetaceans. A cetacean is any of the members of the Order Cetacea. This is defined as being the order of placental mammals having no hind limbs and a blowhole for breathing. The word is pronounced see-tay-shun and comes from the Latin "cetus" and the ancient Greek "ketos" which mean a sea monster.

Hebridean waters support some of the most diverse cetacean populations in Europe. 24 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises have been recorded throughout the west coast of Scotland. It is one of the few places in the UK where you can regularly see the charismatic minke whale, hear and watch common dolphin’s bow riding or be lucky enough to observe a killer whale in the wild. All this is here to experience, against a backdrop of truly beautiful Hebridean scenery and birdlife.

The west coast supports a well developed whale watching industry and offers a range of trips to suit everyone. The list below gives the names those companies who run whale watching or marine wildlife watching trips through the Hebrides.

You don’t have to take to the high seas to find a whale, if you feel more at home on the shore there are lots of land based sites in the Hebrides from where you can spot a whale or porpoise. And remember, if you decide to visit Mull, then please feel free to come and visit HWDT’s Marine Discovery Centre in Tobermory.

As the marine wildlife tourism industry becomes more and more successful the need to think about the impacts on the environment increases. Wildlife operators are very aware that the quality of the environment is essential to the success of their business and to this end several wildlife operator associations have been developed to promote good practice and codes of conduct within the industry. Such associations ensure a mark of quality for the environmentally aware tourist. HWDT works with these organisations to raise their profile and encourage visitors to choose a responsible operator.

Being mammals cetaceans give birth to live young which are suckled by their mother. They also show very complex patterns of reproductive and parental care. In order to maintain their streamlined shape the genitals and mammary glands are hidden within the body. The anus and genital openings are separate and the females have mammary slits either side of the urogenital opening within which the nipples are found.

Sexual maturity occurs from 2 to 20 years depending on the species and the gender. Orca females reach sexual maturity at about 7 years whereas the male Orca begin to show growth of their dorsal fin at that time but do not become sexually mature till they are between 10 or 12 years of age. They do not attain their adult size until they are about 14 years old.

Some species of cetacean have developed very complex mating rituals including sounds and movements. For instance, male humpback whales produce a distinct variety of songs when they are seeking a mate. Some species, such as the sperm whale, have schools of females with a single bull whereas other species live within small family groups or pods. Sexual activity in many species is not restricted to reproductive cycles but occurs frequently and through all seasons suggesting that it may have a wider social meaning.