1. Sea Watch Foundation would like to develop Orca Watch into a year-round community and environmental education project in Caithness, building on the established annual Orca Watch event based at John O’Groats. We are seeking funding for the following activities:

•    Orca Watch coastal interpretation trail: Develop and install interpretation boards at suitable wildlife-watching locations along the Caithness coast, between Thurso and Wick. The boards will help residents and visitors learn about orcas, other marine wildlife, conservation and responsible wildlife watching.

•    Year-round community engagement: Extend opportunities to participate in Orca Watch beyond the annual event through outreach with local schools, community groups, young people, older people and people who may experience loneliness or barriers to participation.

•    Practical workshops: Organise engaging, hands-on workshops with local artists and relevant experts, connecting marine wildlife, creativity and environmental awareness.

•    Community talks: Support expert speakers to attend the Orca Watch Evening of Talks, including necessary travel and accommodation costs, helping make specialist knowledge accessible to the local community.

•    Volunteering and partnership working: Encourage more local people to get involved in wildlife watching, conservation and community activities, working with local organisations and businesses. Together, these activities will create a lasting resource for Caithness and broaden access to marine wildlife education, community participation and nature-based tourism.

2. Caithness has a remarkable coastline and marine environment, offering opportunities for wildlife watching, learning, recreation and tourism. Orca Watch has an established presence in the area and brings together volunteers, residents, visitors and organisations with an interest in marine wildlife. This project will build on that foundation by making opportunities to learn about and engage with the local environment available beyond the annual event. The interpretation trail will provide a lasting resource for residents and visitors, while outreach, workshops and talks will create opportunities for people to learn new things, meet others and take part in shared activities. The project supports priorities in the Caithness Area Place Plan, particularly:

•    People – Health and Well-being: Encouraging connection with nature, learning and social participation.

•    Prosperity – Tourism: Improving information about local attractions and helping Caithness become a destination for people interested in its coast, wildlife and natural heritage.

•    Prosperity – Diverse Economy: Creating opportunities for local collaboration and potentially bringing additional visitors to local businesses, accommodation providers and hospitality venues.

•    People – Sport and Recreation / Place – Waste and Recycling: Encouraging outdoor engagement with the coast and supporting responsible attitudes towards the local environment, alongside relevant beach-clean activities. By working with local partners and making activities accessible to different ages and backgrounds, the project will help communities make more of Caithness’s natural assets and strengthen local pride in the area.

3. The project aims to deliver the following outcomes:

•    Greater awareness of marine wildlife: Residents and visitors will have more opportunities to learn about orcas, other cetaceans, marine conservation and the importance of protecting the coastal environment.

•    A lasting community resource: The interpretation trail will provide information that people can access throughout the year, extending the benefits of Orca Watch beyond its annual event.

•    Improved opportunities for participation: Outreach, workshops and talks will encourage people of different ages and backgrounds to take part in educational and community activities.

•    Stronger community connections: Shared activities will bring people together around a common interest and create opportunities to develop skills, confidence and social connections.

•    Support for local tourism: Accessible wildlife information and activities will enhance the experience of visitors interested in Caithness’s natural environment and encourage responsible wildlife watching.

•    Stronger local partnerships and volunteering: Working with community groups, businesses and volunteers will build on existing relationships and encourage continued involvement in marine conservation. We will assess progress through the delivery of the planned activities, completion of the interpretation trail, participation and volunteer numbers, feedback from participants and partners, and evidence of engagement with the trail and its educational resources.

4. Orca Watch has an established history of activity in Caithness, with approximately 15 years of engagement. The most recent event attracted expressions of interest in volunteering from more than 200 people. Existing links include local businesses, community organisations and environmental groups. These relationships provide a foundation for developing the project further. The proposed activities and overall aims have been identified. The next steps will be to apply for and confirm funding, finalise the budget and timetable, secure the necessary permissions, confirm suppliers and partners, develop and install the interpretation materials, organise outreach and workshops, and coordinate the Orca Watch event programme. We will then gather feedback and participation information to assess the project's impact and identify opportunities to continue the work beyond the funded period.

5. We anticipate that the project will run for 12 months from January 2027. This period will allow time to plan and develop the interpretation trail, prepare for the annual Orca Watch event, deliver community engagement and educational activities, and review the outcomes.