Watch: Scotland's last remaining killer whales caught on camera

Scotland’s last remaining killer whales have been captured on camera swimming through the Inner Hebrides.

John Coe and Aquarius are believed to be the last members of Scotland’s only resident pod of orcas.

The footage of the bulls, captured by wildlife guide Indy Greene, from Hebrides Cruises, was caught at around 2pm on Monday in the Sound of Rum, northwest of the Isle of Eigg.

The video shows the killer whales following a trawler, potentially taking advantage of prey left in its wake.

Mr Greene described it as a “mind-flowing and unforgettable day”.

He said: “Back in 1996, my dad used to work with our skipper James’s dad, the late Richard Fairbairns, a pioneer of whale watching and marine research in the Hebrides, on Sea Life Surveys as a guide on Mull.

“To fulfil a full circle and work now with James on Lucy Mary as a Wildlife Guide this season was epic enough.

“I’ve been volunteering and working in Hebridean waters since I was 10 years old, and it has always been a lifelong dream to see John Coe and Aquarius. I’ve missed them by minutes, many times over the years. To see them today was truly remarkable. Made even better by watching a Humpback Whale lunge feeding just meters from the boat a few hours before.

“It was a mind-blowing, humbling, thought-provoking and unforgettable day that I’ll remember forever.”

Orcas, or killer whales, are apex predators recognisable by their black and white patterned bodies and can grow up to ten metres in size.

Pods can reach up to 50 individuals and can travel at up to 35 miles per hour.

It was the first time John Coe and Aquarius had been spotted swimming together since May, having been seen swimming alone on separate occasions throughout the summer.

James Fairbairns, skipper and director of Hebrides Cruises, said: “This footage is pretty much unique – for years I have dreamt about capturing footage of John Coe and Aquarius like this.

“I have never seen them interact in this way before, on their sides, swimming so close together; it looks so graceful and intimate. We feel incredibly privileged to have witnessed them in our waters once again.

“Today felt like a special reunion as it was the first time the bulls have been spotted together since early May. Throughout the summer, they have been spotted alone, so it’s wonderful to see them back together. For our guests to experience them up close truly is a once-in-a-lifetime moment that won’t be forgotten. It’s been such a special and emotional day for everyone on board.”