Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is a 1994-founded Scottish marine conservation charity that conducts long-term cetacean research via vessel Silurian and the Whale Track citizen science platform, serving citizen scientists, schools, boat operators, and grant funders across Scotland's west coast.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersTobermory, Isle of Mull, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust does
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is a Scottish-registered marine conservation charity (SC022403) founded in 1994 that conducts long-term research and community-based education to protect cetaceans and marine life along Scotland's west coast. The organization operates a dedicated research vessel, Silurian, equipped for visual surveys and hydrophone-based acoustic monitoring, and runs the Whale Track sightings network — a smartphone app and web portal developed with Natural Apptitude that captures citizen science reports into the Coreo secure database, with data shared to the National Biodiversity Network. HWDT's product portfolio spans research expeditions, photo-ID catalogues, a Marine Mammal Atlas, the Floating Classroom, the Hebridean Whale Centre discovery point, the Hebridean Whale Trail, and Teen Team Expeditions for youth marine biology engagement.
HWDT operates a hybrid non-profit revenue model combining individual donations and memberships, paid citizen science expeditions (from £1,495 per 7-12 day voyage), adoption and sponsorship programmes, retail merchandise, corporate partnerships, and restricted grants from government and foundation funders including NatureScot, Baillie Gifford, People's Postcode Trust, and SMEEF. Its customer base is highly fragmented across citizen scientists, school programmes, a 17+ boat operator scheme network, and corporate partners such as Hebrides Cruises, St Hilda Sea Adventures, The Majestic Line, and Farer. Distribution is delivered through direct expedition bookings, the Tobermory-based Hebridean Whale Centre (currently closed for renovation until Easter 2026), digital platforms, and regional partner operators across Scotland's west coast and islands.
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
- Legal name
- Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
- Website
- https://hwdt.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is a 1994-founded Scottish marine conservation charity that conducts long-term cetacean research via vessel Silurian and the Whale Track citizen science platform, serving citizen scientists, schools, boat operators, and grant funders across Scotland's west coast.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC), Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD), Coastal & Marine Nature Lodges (THAGAIAH)
Keywords
Where Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tobermory, Isle of Mull
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Membership: Charitable donations from individuals, membership fees, and one-time contributions. Includes Gift Aid reclaim on eligible donations.
- Expedition Fees: Fees charged to citizen scientists joining research expeditions aboard RV Silurian, ranging from £1,495 for 7-12 day expeditions.
- Retail Sales: Online shop selling merchandise, sponsor packages, and adoption packages for whales and killer whales.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partnership fees and in-kind support from corporate partners who share HWDT's environmental values.
- Grant Funding: Funding from government bodies and foundations including NatureScot, People's Postcode Trust, Baillie Gifford, SMEEF, and others for specific projects and programmes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Research Expedition Citizen Scientist |
| Subscription | Annual | Animal Adoption/Sponsorship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is a marine conservation charity that conducts community-based research and education to protect whales, dolphins, and porpoises across Scotland's west coast. The trust operates the dedicated research vessel Silurian for visual surveys and acoustic monitoring, runs the Whale Track citizen science sightings platform, delivers school and public education through the Floating Classroom and Hebridean Whale Centre, and funds its work through donations, memberships, expeditions, retail sales, grants, and corporate partnerships.
Product overview
HWDT operates as a marine conservation charity offering a unified portfolio of research, education, and community engagement programs centered on protecting Hebridean whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The core offering is the Whale Track community sightings network, comprising a smartphone app and web portal through which citizens report marine wildlife sightings, supplemented by research expeditions aboard the dedicated research vessel Silurian. These programs are supported by educational initiatives including the Floating Classroom, Teen Team Expeditions, and the Hebridean Whale Centre, while scientific outputs include Photo-ID Catalogues and the Marine Mammal Atlas. The Hebridean Whale Trail provides land-based viewing infrastructure, and the Adopt-a-Cetacean program offers sponsorship opportunities. Together these products enable community-based monitoring, scientific research, and public engagement across Scotland's west coast.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Whale Track: Community sightings network and mobile application for reporting whale, dolphin, and porpoise sightings across Scotland
- Silurian
- Hebridean Whale Centre
- Hebridean Whale Trail
- Floating Classroom
- Teen Team Expeditions
- Hebridean Marine Explorers
Products and services
- Whale Track Community Sightings Network A community sightings platform comprising a smartphone app and web portal that enables citizens across Scotland to report whale, dolphin, porpoise, and basking shark sightings with GPS location data. The network receives over 10,000 sighting reports annually and stores data in the Coreo secure online database managed by Natural Apptitude, with records shared with the National Biodiversity Network.
- Research Expeditions aboard Silurian Seven to twelve day live-aboard expeditions aboard research vessel Silurian during the April-October season, where citizen scientists aged 16+ join HWDT staff to collect visual and acoustic data on marine mammals in the Hebrides. Approximately 100 volunteers participate annually, with fees from £1,495 per expedition and all training provided.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 10,000 sighting reports submitted annually through Whale Track
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature2 records
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- National Biodiversity Network (NBN)coreHWDT is a member and data provider of NBN, sharing Silurian and Whale Track data to contribute to UK biodiversity knowledge.
- Sea Watch FoundationcoreNational charity working to improve conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises in British and Irish waters. HWDT is a regional coordinator providing sightings from west coast of Scotland.
- SMASS (Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme)coreCollates data from stranded marine animals around Scotland. HWDT works closely with SMASS on large whale entanglement and staff trained to respond to strandings.
- BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue)coreVoluntary network of trained marine mammal medics dedicated to rescue and wellbeing of marine animals. HWDT works closely on large whale entanglement project.
- WiSe SchemecoreWildlife Safe scheme providing training and certification to marine users on responsible wildlife watching. HWDT is a partner and delivers WiSe certified training.
- Hebrides CruisescoreOban-based family-run company operating luxury cruise vessels. Corporate partner, data contributor to Whale Track, and helped develop the Whale Track app through pilot project.
- St Hilda Sea AdventurescoreOban-based small ship cruising company providing wildlife holidays. Corporate partner committed to 'leave only a wake' policy and reports sightings via Whale Track.
- The Majestic LinecoreDunoon-based operator of four vessels including beautifully restored wooden-hulled fishing trawlers. HWDT's first corporate partner since June 2018.
- FarercoreUK watch maker donating £25 from every Aqua Compressor dive watch sold to HWDT. Partnership has generated over £22,500 in donations.
- Ardent TrainingminorOnline sailing school founded by experienced professional sailors who have been part of HWDT family. Supports HWDT and encourages marine environment protection.
- Marlow RopesminorHigh performance rope manufacturer donating ropes and rigging gear for research vessel Silurian. Corporate supporter providing essential equipment.
- Natural ApptitudecoreDeveloper of Whale Track application and Coreo database. Manages the secure online database that stores all sighting data submitted through Whale Track.
- Sea Life SurveyscoreData contributor from Mull Cetacean Project established in 1982. Provides effort-based sightings and photographs complementing HWDT's research.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- NatureScot (Scottish Natural Heritage): Scotland's government nature agency and HWDT's primary funder. NatureScot oversees conservation policy at a national level; HWDT is effectively a key delivery partner for cetacean monitoring in the Hebrides.
- Sea Life Trust: Global marine conservation charity with rescue/rehabilitation centres and education programmes. Larger, broader-funded counterpart to HWDT operating in marine wildlife protection and public engagement.
Emerging players
- Shark Trust: UK charity focused on shark conservation with citizen science sightings programmes. Adjacent marine wildlife charity with similar volunteer/education model and UK footprint.
Direct peers
- Scottish Wildlife Trust: Scotland's largest nature conservation charity. Comparable as a Scottish-registered charity delivering conservation, education, and volunteer engagement across species and habitats including marine environments.
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS): Scottish programme (based at University of the Highlands and Islands) collating data on stranded marine animals. HWDT is a close collaborator on entanglement work; both generate core Scottish marine mammal datasets.
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC): Leading global charity dedicated to the conservation of whales and dolphins. Comparable UK focus on cetacean welfare, citizen science, and policy advocacy; broader geographic scope than HWDT.
- Sea Watch Foundation: UK cetacean monitoring charity. HWDT is a regional coordinator for Sea Watch, and board member Dr Peter Evans founded Sea Watch. Both operate citizen science sightings networks and produce UK cetacean data.
- Marine Conservation Society: UK charity focused on marine conservation, including cetaceans, with citizen science programmes (e.g., Seaquest), policy advocacy, and education. Highly comparable mission and operating model.
- British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR): UK charity operating a volunteer network of trained marine mammal medics. HWDT partners with BDMLR on entanglement response; both are volunteer-driven marine conservation organizations.
- Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG): Ireland's cetacean monitoring charity running a sightings database and citizen science scheme. Directly comparable in mission, citizen science model, and Atlantic-marine focus, though serving a different geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust social profiles
Digital presenceHebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles22 records
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
What does Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust do?
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is a marine conservation charity that conducts community-based research and education to protect whales, dolphins, and porpoises across Scotland's west coast. The trust operates the dedicated research vessel Silurian for visual surveys and acoustic monitoring, runs the Whale Track citizen science sightings platform, delivers school and public education through the Floating Classroom and Hebridean Whale Centre, and funds its work through donations, memberships, expeditions, retail sales, grants, and corporate partnerships.
Is Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust a public or private company?
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust founded?
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust based?
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is headquartered in Tobermory, Isle of Mull, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations and Membership is the primary driver. The others are expedition Fees, retail Sales, corporate Partnerships and grant Funding.
Who are Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are NatureScot (Scottish Natural Heritage) and Sea Life Trust. Shark Trust is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), Sea Watch Foundation, Marine Conservation Society, British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) and Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).
Does Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust.
What industry is Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust in?
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust's product category is Marine Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAIAH, Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks), with a secondary code of THAAAIAC, Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours.