On the rugged Isle of Mull, off Scotland’s west coast, one of the UK’s largest populations of Eurasian otters has made it’s home. With over 300 miles of coastline, some reachable by road, this is an ideal place to patiently wait in the hope for a glimpse of these elusive creatures, though spotting them is never guaranteed.

Eurasian otters are soft, sleek, and endearingly playful in appearance, yet highly skilled and ruthless hunters. Members of the Mustelidae family, they navigate both land and water with grace, guided by their keen senses of smell and hearing. Their long, sensitive whiskers detect even the slightest movement in the water, and they can hold their breath for nearly a minute, slipping beneath the waves in search of prey.

On Mull, otters have adapted to a coastal life. Instead of freshwater rivers, they hunt in the sea, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and occasionally octopus. Watching them effortlessly move through the tide, diving and surfacing, it’s easy to forget that these small, furry mammals are apex predators, equipped with sharp teeth and a bite strong enough to crush shells and bones.