A SCOTS surfer has shared the “daunting” second he got here face-to-face with a gaggle of large basking sharks while out in the midst of the ocean.

Phil Macdonald was paddle boarding off the coast of Nairn Seaside in Nairn, Scottish Highlands on Saturday when his session was interrupted by the shock guests.

The 36-year-old was promptly caught off-guard by the group of basking sharks, who circled his board within the murky water – leaving Phil’s nerves wracked as he admitted he “s**t himself”.

Video exhibits Phil respiratory closely as he movies a big dorsal fin slicing by means of the water as a big form meanders nearer to him.

Because the shark – whose large mouth will be seen just under the floor – approaches, it dips its dorsal fin below the floor, skimming beneath Phil who merely says: “Jesus. Oh wow.”

Simply dwarfing Phil and his board, the basking shark pops up once more on the opposite aspect, circling again for one more run as Phil, from Inverness, admits: “[I] s**t myself.”

One other clip reveals that the basking shark has been joined by others of its species, as Phil dips his digicam down beneath the floor of the water.

Regardless of the murky, inexperienced waters, the large form of one of many sharks drifts proper by Phil’s digicam, with its enormous white mouth hanging extensive open because it makes an attempt to filter for plankton.

The tough ridges and gills of the shark’s physique cross proper by the digicam, revealing the sheer measurement of the large fish.

Phil then plucks the digicam again out of the water earlier than asking his good friend if they’d managed to seize any snaps of the light giants too.

Phil took to social media to share the footage on Saturday, writing: “Nonetheless can’t imagine I used to be fortunate sufficient to expertise this.

“Was so eager to swim with them however the water is actually murky, which made it tremendous daunting.

“Then, you catch the scale and scale of them and it turns into a very nerve-wracking thought.

“Couldn’t convey myself to the touch them. I’d have felt a bit extra comfy if it weren’t for the actual fact it was my first time utilizing a paddle board.

“Nairn Seaside is only a magical place.”

The submit obtained over 360 likes and greater than 80 feedback from customers left surprised at Phil’s up-close encounter with the prehistoric-looking fish.

Donald Jack wrote: “No manner. That is wonderful.”

Caroline Macdonald stated: “Nice expertise for you. I used to be terrified, watching you.”

Paul Goldie commented: “That’s unbelievable viewing, mate. You’re a courageous man.”

Jermeno De Vos added: “That is the Scottish model of swimming with dolphins.”

Kenny Morrison joked: “Toes stored out the water, simply in case.”

The basking shark is the second largest residing shark – and fish – on this planet, behind the whale shark.

With massive grownup specimens reaching as much as 10 metres in size, the basking shark can stay as much as 50 years and will be discovered from the water’s floor, proper all the way down to a minimum of 910 metres deep.

Regardless of their measurement, basking sharks pose no hazard to people and are filter feeders – largely feeding on zooplankton, small fish and invertebrates within the water.

The species are one among solely three plankton-eating shark species alongside the whale shark and megamouth shark, and are presently endangered.