The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Ocean Defenders focus on whales and dolphins
A group of children on a school trip from Glasgow are delivering an important message to Highland businesses.
Pupils from Sunnyside Primary in Craigend are staying at Ullapool Youth Hostel while learning about nature and wildlife.
Known as the Ocean Defenders, the young activists have been supporting Ullapool-based whale and dolphin rescue group British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).
They have also been corresponding with Ullapool Primary pupils and working together to help protect red squirrels and trying to tackle marine plastic litter.
During their trip they have been looking for whales and dolphins on a cruise to the Summer Isles, visiting Isle of Martin and planting trees.
Today they will visit the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust research vessel Silurian, which is currently berthed at Ullapool.
On Friday the pupils visit Chanonry Point to meet dolphin photographer Charlie Phillips.
Noel Hawkins, of BDMLR Ullapool, said: “It’s not all play for the week. The Ocean Defenders and Ullapool Primary are also visiting local bars and restaurants to present the owners with non-plastic straws that they hope can be used instead of normal ones that are often used for a few seconds but end up in landfill and our seas for centuries.”
The visit was made possible by donations from Ullapool Harbour, St Martin’s Lodge, Metalast and Awards for All. In the spring pupils from Ullapool will visit Glasgow.