Thank you to our amazing 2025 Outreach Assistants!
Every year the HWDT team is bolstered by our incredible squad of Outreach Assistants. These volunteers play a huge role in helping us achieve our mission, by engaging with the public through our Hebridean Whale Centre in Tobermory. They lead guided walks, deliver specialist talks, carry out land-based surveys, and support a research expedition on board Silurian.
We asked this year’s team – Emily McNulty, Jessica Shaw, and Megan Hamill - to reflect on their placement and share some of their incredible experiences…
why did you decide to volunteer with HWDT?
“I’d first heard of HWDT after listening to their episode on the SAMS Ocean Explorer podcast, and the amazing work they were doing for marine conservation on the west coast. I was at a point in my life where I felt a bit stuck, but knew I wanted to progress into marine conservation, so when I saw the job advertisement I thought… I’ve got nothing left to lose!”
“I had heard about HWDT whilst completing my degree in marine conservation and wanted a chance to contribute to meaningful research and get involved in community engagement. Also getting the opportunity to get aboard Silurian was an incredible added benefit.”
“I first heard about HWDT through the Hebridean Whale Trail site at COAST’s Discovery Centre on the Isle of Arran. After volunteering at COAST and getting involved with marine policy in Scotland I was looking for an opportunity to gain experience and learn about something different and decided to apply. ”
what is a memorable wildlife encounter from this summer?
“What a privilege to say that there’s been so many, picking one is incredibly difficult! Despite obsessing over whales and dolphins my entire life, before moving to Mull, I’d never seen one in real life. My first ever dolphin encounter was onboard Silurian, where they came right up and rode our bow. It was so special and I’ll cherish that memory always!”
“One of my most memorable encounters this summer was during one of our weekly headland watches at Glengorm. The conditions were perfect, and through my binoculars I could see common dolphins, harbour porpoises, and minke whales all at the same time!”
“Definitely seeing fin whales in the Minch while on Silurian! Could not believe we get the second largest whale in the world in Scottish waters. We could see the blows from so far away and the storm petrels really put their size into perspective. ”
what have you enjoyed about being based in the Hebridean Whale Centre?
“Something that would always brighten my day is when people would come in and share their sightings with us. Whether they’d been on a wildlife tour, on their own boat or simply spotted something from land, hearing their joy and excitement is pretty unmatched.”
“I’ve really enjoyed engaging with children who are curious about the ocean and eager to learn more about cetaceans. It’s been fun to be able to encourage their interest further, answer their questions, and hopefully inspire the next generation of ocean advocates.”
“I have really enjoyed learning more about whales, dolphins, and porpoises and sharing this knowledge with visitors. It was great to show and talk to people about all the amazing wildlife there is to see on the West Coast. ”
Tell us about a rewarding part of your role:
“Enabling people to have their first whale, dolphin or porpoise encounter will never get old. During one of our watches at Tobermory Lighthouse I remember one lady telling me how she was desperate to see a dolphin in the wild. Right as we were about to leave a pod of them swam right past us, and she was over the moon. I walked away from that watch feeling very fulfilled.”
“One of the most rewarding parts of my role is during headland watches. After teaching participants how to identify different cetaceans, it’s always exciting to see their faces light up when they’re able to spot an animal themselves later in the walk. ”
“Although it was sometimes difficult to talk about the threats facing whales, dolphins, and porpoises it was really rewarding when people took this information on board and felt inspired to learn more. It not always easy to talk about these things but massively important for people to understand the impact human activity can have on these animals. ”
How did you find life on the Isle of Mull?
“I was quite apprehensive about my move to Mull, coming from Newcastle I knew the lifestyle was going to be completely different, however…. I absolutely loved it! I’ve never been surrounded by so much wildlife before, which I found both inspiring and incredibly grounding.”
“I loved my time living on Mull. It’s so different from where I grew up, and being surrounded by the sea and such incredible wildlife every day has been really special.”
“Coming from the Isle of Arran, I was no stranger to island life, but every island is different, and I totally fell in love with Mull. You never knew what wildlife you were going to encounter each time you went out the door - I saw so many amazing things from the seat of my car!”
A huge thank you to Emily, Jess and Megan for being such dedicated, hardworking, and passionate members of the HWDT family. We wish you all the best for your next steps in your careers in conservation and are honoured to have had you on the team!
We usually recruit Outreach Assistants over the festive period. If you are interested in joining our team in 2026 then keep an eye on our social media pages, and our Volunteering section of the website. All opportunities will be advertised there.