Out kayaking with a group this week we heard the grey seals calling; an eerie howl heard for several kilometres across Gairloch bay. Cory informed the group that sailors in ‘the olden days’ thought these sounds came from ghosts or selkies (mermiads- half human, half seal).

The Scots word selkie means “grey seal” (Halichoerus grypus).

The grey seal is the larger of the two UK seal species. If you catch a good look at them you’ll see how they got their scientific name Halichoerus grypus – it means hook-nosed sea pig! These mammals spend most of their time out at sea feeding on fish. They return to land to rest and can often be seen ‘hauled out’, lying on British beaches. Grey seals give birth to fluffy white pups in the autumn. These adorable pups stay on land until they have lost their white coats and trebled their body weight. Despite numbers dropping to only 500 in the early 20th century, it’s estimated that there are now more than 120,000 grey seals in Britain, representing 40% of the world’s population and 95% of the European population. Seals regularly ‘haul out’ to digest their food or rest, so if you meet one on a beach, give it plenty of space and keep dogs away. This is especially true for mothers and pups. Seals are also easily spooked from their rocky resting spots, so if in a boat or kayak, maintain a distance of at least 100m where possible.

Selkie Folklore makes for an interesting read! Click here to find out more.

Superstitions – It was only during hard times that the people of the Scottish Isles would kill seals to make use of their skin and blubber. It was thought that the killing of a seal would result in misfortune for the perpetrator. However, it was only on February 1st 2021 that the Scottish Government ceased granting licences to shoot seals to protect farmed salmon.

For more paddling experiences and chances to see grey seals, take a look at our website.