Scotland’s first snorkel trail has been created by the ScottishWildlife Trust featuring nine beaches and bays on the coast of Wester Ross and Sutherland, where the rich variety of Scotland’s marine life can be seen.

The self-led North West Highlands Snorkel Trail is for beginners and advanced snorkel enthusiasts alike.

Trail locations include the sandy Achmelvich Bay billed as perfect for beginners with plenty of fish, shellfish and kelp beds.

Meanwhile Gruinard Bay headland offers low tide exploration where seagrass and kelp shelter numerous fish and shellfish, and rare maerl.

Mellon Charles is a former naval base dating to the Second World War, where the sea beneath the old pier is a haven for sea urchins, anemones and wrasse.

The island of Tanera Mor off Achiltibuie has steep drop offs either side of its landing platform, which are good for snorkelling and where kelp and crevasses shelter lobsters and crabs.

Noel Hawkins, Living Seas Communities Officer, Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “ The new trail is self-led, but we are hoping to establish a training programme for local people to become qualified snorkel instructors, and also a snorkel club at the local leisure centre to introduce younger members of the community to snorkelling and their local marine environment.”

Lizzie Bird, Instructor Trainer, British Sub Aqua Club said: “Lots of people might think it’s too cold to snorkel in Scotland but the colours and life under the surface in places like the north west coast are up there with the coral reefs you can find abroad.

“Anyone can snorkel at any age as long as they are confident in the water. They don’t have to be fantastic swimmers and the best thing is it’s a way to look at a world that you rarely see.”