Otters at Loch Awe
Where they live
Otters live along the seashore and on the banks of rivers, lochs and burns.
They spend much of their time in the water but sleep and breed in burrows known as holts.
We regularly remove dense and overgrown vegetation from the shoreline and riverbanks to ensure they have plenty of places to find suitable holts.
What they eat
Otters mainly eat crabs and small fish but will snack on almost anything easy to catch. Including
- frogs
- toads
- larger fish
- waterbirds
- voles
They use their long sensitive whiskers to help detect prey moving underwater.
How to see them in the wild
These inquisitive and playful animals are always a joy to watch, and you can see them year-round. They’re usually hard to find, but you might spot one swimming or hear them calling to each other. These sound like high pitched squeaks or chattering angrily if threatened.
Watch out at dawn and dusk for otters that live in freshwater lochs and rivers. They tend to be nocturnal and roam large areas – up to 20 miles (30km) – in search of food. Coastal otters are often active during the day and don’t range very far because of the plentiful supply of seafood.
Where you might see them
Found in rivers, lochs and along the shores across Scotland. We recommend going to the west coast and the islands for the best chance of spotting them.
Head to Kylerhea, on the Isle of Skye, where there is a wildlife hide that is great for seeing all sorts of animals. It also has a stunning vantage point over the Kylerhea narrows. Otters are often seen frolicking along the shoreline.
On the wooded shores of Loch Sunart, you’ll find the Garbh Eilean wildlife hide, which is another good otter spotting place. Sit quietly and you might see otters as well as:
- basking seals
- seabirds
- s
There are also regular otter sightings along Loch Lomond and at Culbin in Moray.
If you can’t find the real thing, visit the friendly carved stone otter at the Otter Pool car park on the Raiders’ Road Forest Drive in Galloway Forest Park.
When you can see them
You can see otters all year round. You’ll always need to be patient, as they are wary and easily disturbed. Coastal otters are more active during the daytime than those living beside inland rivers and lochs.
What to look out for
About the size of a small dog, around 3 feet (1 metre) long including their tails. Often confused with the American mink, but otters are much larger and more powerful, with lighter brown fur and wider snouts.
On land, look for five-toed footprints in waterside mud or sand, and spraint (droppings) full of fish bones and crab shells left in prominent places. Despite the fishy contents, otter spraint smells sweet, rather like hay.
In the water, spot the otter’s distinctive V-shaped wake as they swim on the surface or a long chain of bubbles as they breathe out slowly underwater.