An extraordinary wildlife encounter unfolded off the coast of Oban, Scotland on Sunday afternoon when a pod of five orcas, including a young calf, was observed actively hunting common dolphins near Lady Rock.

The sighting began around 4pm when Hebrides Cruises head guide Lynsey Bland spotted the whales while travelling home aboard a CalMac ferry. Rob Barlow, Director at Hebrides Cruises, said:“This was an opportunity we couldn’t miss so we decided to launch Mairi B, the latest vessel to our fleet. With Skippers James and Jake, Stewardess Ellie and Shore Manager Emma we located the pod approximately 30 minutes from Oban, around 5.30pm, as we drifted with them, we witnessed the orcas pursuing common dolphins at high speed before making a successful catch. Lots of leaping and action happened in front of our eyes.”

The encounter is believed to be highly significant due to both the location and the behaviour observed. Rob added: “In all our years' operating on the west coast, we have never witnessed anything like this. Watching five Orca, including a calf, hunting common dolphins in these inshore waters was one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences we have ever had. It was nature in its rawest and most powerful form.”

While orcas are regular visitors to the Hebrides by John Coe and Aquarius, the company is not aware of any previous records of a pod outside the West Coast Community group being documented hunting common dolphins in such inshore waters.

Emma Fairbairns, Director and Shore Manager at Hebrides Cruises said: “We are still on a high from an incredible afternoon. Not only for us but for my six years old daughter who can now say she has witnessed an orca 30 mins from home. We know this kind of behaviour has never been recorded in these inshore waters, research has always indicated the West Coast Community (with only 2 animals left) were the only Orca that predated on cetaceans in these waters. It is historical to witness a different pod so close to Oban!”

Drone footage and photographs from the encounter have been shared with marine researchers and conservation organisations, including Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust to assist with identification. The sighting highlights the incredible diversity of marine wildlife found around the west coast of Scotland and provided a rare glimpse into the natural hunting behaviour of one of the ocean’s apex predators.

Based in Oban, Hebrides Cruises was founded in 1996 by former deep-sea diver Rob Barlow and has built a strong reputation for small ship wildlife cruises through the Inner and Outer Hebrides, including remote St Kilda.

Hebrides Cruises explores far-flung destinations including Mingulay, the Monach Isles, the Shiant Isles and the Summer Isles, with itineraries also calling at Barra, Vatersay, the Uists, Lewis and Harris.

Cruises also island-hop through the Inner Hebrides, visiting Mull, Iona, Skye, Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna, and explore the Highlands via the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness.