SCULLING his sea kayak in calm waters off the west coast of the Highlands, near Achiltibuie, Andrew Brownlow spotted a shoal of fish riffling the surface. Sea birds appeared as if from nowhere and began to swoop and feed. He paddled on slowly and watched the scene unfold, enjoying the spectacle as he scrutinised it with the professional eye of a veterinary specialist in the marine environment.
Suddenly, 30ft away, the ocean waters boiled up. The black fins of three orcas broke the surface and something delivered a hefty thump to the stern of the kayak. He turned to see a frightened young grey seal had hauled its 130lb weight onto the fragile deck. As Dr Brownlow strove to trim the craft under its unsteady cargo, it dawned on the seal that it had escaped one
