Scotland Unveils Its First Snorkel Trail

The Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Highlands and the Stirling Castle are just a few landmarks lavishing the Scottish countryside. However, you can now travel the beaches of Scotland in a novel way beneath its coast.

Scottish Wildlife Trust created the country’s first snorkel trail in the north west Highlands. There are nine beaches and bays that hold the name to be exceptional locations to view marine life. The snorkel trail officially launched on Saturday, July 9 at Ullapool Harbor.

Mellon Charles, Achmelvich Bay and Tanera Mór in the Summer Isles are just some of the sites along the snorkel trail. During the underwater feat, be on the lookout for the periwinkle snail, eelgrass, brittle stars, butterfish and even a hermit crab or two.

“The snorkel trail will encourage more people to explore the fragile habitats below the waves and the marine life they support, whilst also helping to raise awareness of the need to protect them,” said Noel Hawkins, communities officer of the trust’s Living Seas project in a statement.

The trail is self-led, but in there are plans for more development of the region’s snorkeling, according to Hawkins.

“The snorkel trail is an innovative approach to marine and coastal planning that encourages use of existing infrastructure to help tourism diversification like this,” according to Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs.

Divers will need a wetsuit while touring the crisp waters of the trail. If cold isn’t your thing, the waters are ideal during warmer months.