Nature & Landscape · Galashiels
Otters in Galashiels! A Surprise Wildlife Encounter by the Burn
While exploring a quiet burn near Galashiels, a man and his greyhound are treated to a rare and magical sight — otters playing in the wild. A fleeting moment of Borders nature at its best.
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While exploring a quiet burn near Galashiels, a man and his greyhound are treated to a rare and magical sight — otters playing in the wild. A fleeting moment of Borders nature at its best. Load the film below, then press play to watch it here in the archive.
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Otters in Galashiels…..
(All filmed on my phone in the half light of 5am)
Sometimes the most magical wildlife encounters happen when you least expect them — and right on your doorstep. That’s exactly what happened on a quiet walk near Galashiels, when a man and his curious greyhound stumbled upon a family of otters playing in a secluded burn.
A Rare and Special Sighting
Otters aren’t always easy to spot. Shy and elusive, they usually slip away the moment they sense humans (or overenthusiastic dogs!) nearby. But this time? This time was different.
Just ahead on the path, a mother otter and her pup were splashing and playing — completely unaware of their new audience. For a few magical minutes, nature was on full display.
Enter: The Greyhound
Of course, the greyhound had other ideas. As soon as he spotted the movement, he was locked in — eyes wide, tail wagging, pulling at the lead like his life depended on it.
The fear? That the pup might get abandoned if startled. So, a bit of scrambling and shushing followed. Eventually, dog and owner found a way to retreat, and the otters swam on — cool as you like.
Otters in the Borders?
Yes! Otters are native to the Scottish Borders, and their numbers have been slowly recovering in recent years, thanks to cleaner rivers and more protected habitats. They’re usually active at dawn and dusk, but if you’re quiet, patient, and lucky… you might just see one.
Where Was This?
We’re keeping the exact location under wraps — to protect the otters’ peaceful spot. But rest assured, the Borders are full of hidden burns, rivers, and secret corners where wildlife still thrives. You just need to get out and explore.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t a BBC nature documentary. It was just a man, his dog, and a moment. But it proves a point: you don’t have to travel far to find nature. Sometimes, the wild comes to you.
So next time you’re out walking in the Borders, keep your eyes peeled and your dog on a lead — you never know what you might find…
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