Woman captures majestic up-close encounter with graceful orca pod in ‘once in a lifetime’ experience

Breathtaking footage shows the moment a pod of orcas glided past amazed onlookers in Lerwick last week.

Donna Marie Woodhouse recorded the four orcas swimming near the Shetland Museum and Archives on November 29 at 11.50am. Donna said the orcas were so close she could even hear their breathing as they surfaced.

Posting the incredible footage to Facebook, Donna said: “Orcas at my feet! Keep watching, the Orcas come right in! What an amazing experience. Got soaked in the rain as no jacket but totally worth it. Phenomenal! I live in the most amazing place... blown away... wow, wow and wow.”

She added that getting to see the orcas up close was “a wonderful experience” and the “moment of a lifetime”.

Donna’s video has received 24.6k views and 296 comments. One social media user commented: “Just made my day watching your video, so I can imagine being there would have been so special. Thank you for sharing!” While another simply added: “You have just lived my dream. This is amazing.”