Scottish Islands Explorer 41: Jan / Feb 2017

distances of over 200 miles. Man has long
hunted the grey seal for meat, blubber and
skin and, until paraffin became a source of
light and fuel, the oil was used in isolated
island communities. The Grey Seal
Protection Act of 1914 was the first
legislation to fully safeguard a mammal in
the UK.
Entanglement with fishing equipment
remains one of their biggest threats, while
the impact of offshore windfarms may be
another cause for concern. The debate
about their impact on fish farms continues,
although stronger net design has reduced
problems. It seems St Columba had a soft
spot for them and his monks on Iona
claimed ownership of those which calved
on nearby islands and skerries.
It is possible to observe seals from cliffs
and headlands, boats and kayaks and, of
course, through binoculars. Care is required
to avoid agitation or the risk of separation
between mother and pup, particularly
during the breeding season. Seals are more
welcoming when in the water, but any
approach by boat should be made slowly to
assess their response. Usually they, too, can
be quite inquisitive!
The Common Seal
Pages 28-29: Grey seal pup - one of
40,000 born in Scotland each year.
Opposite: A buoy in the Firth of
Forth, west of the Isle of Inchcolm,
makes an unusual hauling out point
for four grey seals.
Above: Grey seals basking on a
sandbank. The large wedge-shaped
head is always a key identification
feature. By Hugh Venables -
Creative Commons Licence ©
Left: Common seal pup - note the
more rounded head and the snout
which is often described as
resembling a labrador.
The smaller common seal is also seen in Scotland. These are
sometimes called harbour seals and prefer more sheltered stretches
of coastline. High densities are located on the east coasts of Islay
and Jura, the Ross of Mull, Coll, Tiree and parts of Skye. Further
north, large clusters occur around both Orkney and Shetland. Current
estimates put common seal numbers in Scotland at around 23,500,
which is almost 90% of the total population in the British Isles. The
common seal has a more rounded head and remains largely silent
when ashore - in contrast to the haunting ‘song’ of the grey seal.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017 SCOTTISH ISLANDS EXPLORER 31