THE BURGHEAD HEADLAND TRUST are behind a major event this month that it is hoped will both educate and enthuse people over the sea life visible from their lookout post.

The ‘BigWatch@TheBrock’ is being held on June 10 and 11 from 12noon until 4pm, when visitors and residents alike are being invited to join local experts – all hoping to catch more than a glimpse at resident and visiting dolphins and whales.

Local watchers and regulars at the Burghead spot will all be on hand – including Steve Truluck, who told insideMoray: “Charlie Phillips, who is the WDCS field officer in the region, will be on hand to share knowledge of the whales and dolphins that appear on our stretch of the Moray Firth.

“The idea for the event came after the visit from the Humpback whales in January. We saw the happiness that seeing these creatures gave to so many locals and visitors out watching the whales in those five days.

“We felt we should try to get more people watching and seeing what’s out in our seas and realising just how precious this environment really is, particularly when it us under threat from an application to undertake Ship to Ship Oil Transfers.”

The event has been timed to coincide with the annual arrival of Minke whales – and with breaching whales that have been seen in recent days, it is hoped that those attending will be rewarded with more sightings.

Steve added: “In the last week a humpback whale was also seen from Covesea and Killer whales have been seen within the Moray Firth. Who knows what will be spotted with many eyes focused on the sea.

“Boat trips with North 58 Sea Adventures will be available from Burghead and there’ll be food and drink and plenty for the kids to do if the marine mammals are playing hard to get.

The event is free entry and is being organised by Burghead Headland Trust. Take your cameras and binoculars with you and join the Big Watch.”