Rare ‘urban orcas’ spotted in the Clyde

A pod of killer whales – including at least one calf – has been spotted in the Clyde.

The mammals, described as “urban orcas” by one expert, were filmed yesterday in the river near Gourock and Dunoon. David Nairn, of Clyde Porpoise marine mammal project, told BBC Scotland the orcas are regularly seen near Arran but have not visited the upper Clyde for many years.

“It’s absolutely fantastic for the Clyde,” Mr Nairn said. “It’s just so exciting. Everyone’s on the beach with binoculars.”

In the UK, orcas can most often be spotted around the Shetland and Orkney islands.