Plan your visit and book tours

The WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre is at the mouth of the River Spey and is a haven for wildlife including bottlenose dolphins, ospreys, grey and common seals, the occasional otter and many coastal birds. The Centre is based in an 18th Century salmon fishing station and has a fascinating history. Our passionate staff and volunteers will be on hand to tell you more and answer any questions.

 

Entry to the Scottish Dolphin Centre is FREE. We are open Thursday – Monday, 10:30am to 4pm (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). For opening times for the rest of the season, please see our Opening Times page.

Dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas but are not permitted in any indoor space including the shop, café and exhibition. Registered assistance dogs are allowed in all areas of the Dolphin Centre. We have an enclosed courtyard garden where you can tie your dog while you get a takeaway from the café or browse in the shop.

 

On offer throughout the season:

Explore the Bones Box

Explore our collection of whale and dolphin bones with one of the Scottish Dolphin Centre’s passionate guides. Can you guess which creatures they came from? This activity is aimed at school age children and lasts approximately 25 minutes.

Weekends at 2pm – no need to book. This a free activity but donations are welcome!

Children need to be accompanied by an adult.  

Icehouse Tour – book here

Take a guided tour of the largest Icehouse in the UK and discover all about Spey Bay’s salmon fishing heritage. Hear the stories of the fishermen who worked here and see a range of the authentic tools they used. In the bones room you will find out all about the whales and dolphins that live in Scotland’s seas and how big they really are!

Tours last approximately 45 minutes and will be in groups of up to ten people.

Whale and dolphin skeletons at the Ice House, Scottish Dolphin Centre. Photo © Alex Mitchell           

 

 

 

 

 

Land-based dolphin watching

Go up on Icehouse hill to try to spot the largest bottlenose dolphins in the world! Look out for splashes, birds overhead and discontinuities in the water. You can also follow us on Twitter @dolphinsighting.

Unguided walks

Join the Speyside Way at the Centre to walk along the River Spey on a well maintained, flat footpath. Why not walk one mile along the path up to the old iron railway bridge, now a cycle and footpath that offers brilliant views down the the Spey? Great for cyclists and walkers.

 

Upcoming Events

Nature Champions

Date: 12th October 2023
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: WDC's Scottish Dolphin Centre

Come and join us at the Scottish Dolphin Centre for a fun filled children’s holiday club aimed at 6 – 9 year olds.

Each session will have a range of games and activities with a different conservation or nature theme. Meet in the Scottish Dolphin Centre Education Room, or come to the shop and our staff will tell you where to go!

Please come dressed appropriately for the weather. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Each child needs a ticket but adults don’t need to book – BOOK HERE

For more information please ring 01343 820339.

 

Nature Champions

Date: 19th October 2023
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: WDC's Scottish Dolphin Centre

Come and join us at the Scottish Dolphin Centre for a fun filled children’s holiday club aimed at 6 – 9 year olds.

Each session will have a range of games and activities with a different conservation or nature theme. Meet in the Scottish Dolphin Centre Education Room, or come to the shop and our staff will tell you where to go!

Please come dressed appropriately for the weather. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Each child needs a ticket but adults don’t need to book – BOOK HERE

For more information please ring 01343 820339.

 

See all events

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