Sharks get a bad rap for being the meanest creatures in the sea, but these supposed murderous man-eaters are actually a beautifully diverse and fascinating group.
Among them, the slow-moving basking shark gets its name from its tendency to drift lazily near the ocean's surface to feed on plankton, attracting a fair stream of curious onlookers to the Scottish coast during late spring and summer when they can most often be spotted in the region.
Basking sharks are the largest fish to swim in UK waters and the second largest in the world, reaching lengths of up to 12 meters. Previously hunted in Britain for their liver oil, meat, and fins, the basking shark is now protected by the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.
As evidenced by this incredible drone footage captured between Coll and Mull in the Hebrides, these gentle giants more closely resemble us lolling about on a holiday than bloodthirsty killers.
