In pictures: Humpback whale does a backflip off Fife coast

This is the moment a humpback whale performs a spectacular back flip '“ in the Firth of Forth near Kirkcaldy.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Mar 2017, 10:24 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:02 BST
The whale in the Forth performs a back flip. Picture: Alan BrownThe whale in the Forth performs a back flip. Picture: Alan Brown
The whale in the Forth performs a back flip. Picture: Alan Brown

The dramatic image was captured by Allan Brown who patiently waited after hearing the the giant visitor had been spotted.

He saw the huge mammal and waited until it performed a spectacular breach followed by a big splash.

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Allan, 67, who lives in Kirkaldy, said: “I heard there had been sightings of a humpback whale and I only stay a couple of miles down the road.

The whale in the Forth performs a back flip. Picture: Alan BrownThe whale in the Forth performs a back flip. Picture: Alan Brown
The whale in the Forth performs a back flip. Picture: Alan Brown

“I saw the whale on the surface about half a mile away. It did three shallow dives and then disappeared. You could tell it was doing a deep dive.

“The fourth time it breached and I was prepared for it. Considering it was quite far away, it was a big splash.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s quite unusual, especially in the Firth of Forth, because it’s so shallow compared to the open sea.”

Steve Johnstone also captured some breathtaking images of the the visitor in the Forth - Check out our video slideshow to see them all.

Related topics:FifeKirkcaldy