The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)'s Wildlife Centre is based at the mouth of the River Spey on the southern side of the Moray Firth on the east coast of Scotland. It is about an hour's drive from Inverness. The River Spey flows speedily into the sea after its 90-mile journey from the deep inside the Scottish mountains.

The Centre was converted from a former salmon fishing station that has existed on the site since 1768. Tools and old boats from the buildings’ former use still remain around the site as well as a strange three-humped, grass covered building, which is actually an Ice House. Ice Houses were used as giant fridges in the days before electricity. Winter ice, that formed in specially cut channels along the River Spey, was cut and brought into the ice house, which is sunk into the ground with two thirds below ground level. Here the ice would remain frozen, which allowed the fishermen to keep their salmon cool all summer. Tugnet Ice House, as it is called, is the largest remaining ice house in the country. Inside, the high, domed ceilings, cobbled floors, chilly temperatures and echoes give the feeling of being inside a cave. You are free to go inside and discover more about the buildings and the salmon fishery it housed. The last fish landed here was caught in 1991 and the building stood empty until 1997 when Tony and Janey Archer took on the project to create a centre where people could learn about the local wildlife.

Gradually Tony and Janey built the Centre up to become a thriving attraction and in recent years, a partnership developed between the Centre and WDCS. As this partnership grew, WDCS became more and more involved, taking on the management of the Centre’s volunteer programme. In 2002, WDCS developed the exhibition space in the centre and in June 2003 employed a full time Education Officer with the help of funding from Scottish Natural Heritage. At the beginning of November 2003, Tony and Janey Archer passed on the full time running of the Centre to WDCS.

The WDCS Wildlife Centre continues to grow and develop. More opportunities are gained every day to carry on educating and entertaining visitors about our wonderful natural heritage and our wonderful whales and dolphins. During the course of the year the full-time team are supported by a number of volunteers, many of whom have a background in wildlife conservation.

The centre includes a new visitors' exhibition and a developing series of education and public awareness initiatives. Our intention is to work together to create a centre of excellence for visitors, and to contribute to the protection and conservation of the Moray Firth dolphins and their habitat. As well as being famed for the dolphins, the Centre's location is within a wildlife haven that is home to ospreys, grey and harbour seals, otters, wildfowl and waders. It is part of a 450ha nature reserve which forms part of the largest vegetated shingle habitat in Scotland. We look forward to seeing you at the Centre soon.

WDCS is the global voice for the protection of whales, dolphins and their environment.