Wildlife enthusiasts have reacted with excitement after the first sighting of a basking shark in the Firth of Clyde this year.

The early report of this giant fish in Scottish seas was recorded off the coast of Arran last month.  

Just a couple of days later, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group also had their first basking shark report of 2024, off the Irish coast.

A spokesperson for the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust stated: "These gentle giants were hunted extensively in Scotland's waters, with the last commercially caught as recently as the 90's.

"Now protected in our seas, the basking shark has a chance to recover, but we still have large gaps in our knowledge of this huge creature.

 Thanks so much to everyone in our Whale Track community, who report what they've spotted and are building a better understanding of marine species off Scotland's coast.

"Thanks also to the dedicated team of verification volunteers, who diligently check sightings reported through our app, Whale Track.

"Anyone can get involved, just download the app today and report what you've spotted."

The basking shark is the second-largest living shark and fish, after the whale shark.

It is one of three plankton-eating shark species, along with the whale shark and megamouth shark, and has been spotted near the Cumbrae islands in previous summers.