Firth of Clyde
Firth of Clyde | |
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Clyde Waters, Clyde Sea | |
![]() Map of the Firth of Clyde. | |
Location | Scotland, United Kingdom |
Coordinates | 55°40′N 5°00′W / 55.667°N 5.000°Wgrid reference NS153652 |
Type | Firth |
Etymology | Scottish |
Part of | Irish Sea |
River sources | River Clyde |
Basin countries | Scotland, United Kingdom |
Surface area | 4,279 cubic kilometres (1,027 cu mi) |
Average depth | 58 metres (190 ft) |
Max. depth | 198 metres (650 ft) |
Shore length1 | 1,256 kilometres (780 mi) |
Surface elevation | 0 metres (0 ft) |
Frozen | No |
Islands | Isle of Arran, Isle of Bute, Isle of Cumbrae |
References | [1]https://marine.gov.scot/data/facts-and-figures-about-scotlands-sea-area-coastline-length-sea-area-sq-kms |
Invalid designation | |
Designated | 7 August 2014 |
Reference no. | 10414[2] |
[3] | |
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. |
The Firth of Clyde is the estuary of the River Clyde, on the west coast of Scotland. The Firth has some of the deepest coastal waters of the British Isles. The Firth is sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by the Kintyre peninsula. The Firth lies between Argyll and Bute in the west and Inverclyde, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire in the east. The Kilbrannan Sound is a large arm of the Firth, separating the Kintyre Peninsula from the Isle of Arran. The Kyles of Bute separates the Isle of Bute from the Cowal peninsula.
The Highland Boundary Fault crosses the Firth. The Firth also played a vital military role during World War II.
The Firth is sometimes called the Clyde Waters or Clyde Sea, and is customarily considered to be part of the Irish Sea.[4][5]
Geography
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Seamill%2C_Firth_of_Clyde.jpg/220px-Seamill%2C_Firth_of_Clyde.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Firth_of_Clyde_View_-_geograph.org.uk_-_5176802.jpg/220px-Firth_of_Clyde_View_-_geograph.org.uk_-_5176802.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Gourock_and_the_Firth_of_Clyde_-_geograph.org.uk_-_3095647.jpg/220px-Gourock_and_the_Firth_of_Clyde_-_geograph.org.uk_-_3095647.jpg)
At the north of the Firth, Loch Long and the Gare Loch join the Firth; these lochs are separated by the Rosneath Peninsula. Off Greenock, an anchorage, known as the Tail of the Bank narrows the estuary of the River Clyde to 2 miles (3.2 km) wide. (The "Bank" is a reference to a sandbank and shoal) The River Clyde has an upper tidal limit located at the tidal weir next to Glasgow Green.[6]
The geographical (and popular) distinction between the Firth and the River Clyde is vague. Some refer to Dumbarton as being "on the Firth of Clyde"; while at the same time, the residents of Port Glasgow and Greenock often refer to the part of the Firth that lies to the north of those areas as "the river".
The Firth encompasses many islands and peninsulas. Twelve ferry routes connect them to each other and the mainland. The majority of the ferry services are run by Caledonian MacBrayne and one by Western Ferries, and many of the routes are lifeline services for communities living in remote areas.[7][8]
The Irish Sea and the Firth of Clyde's southerly boundary, as defined by the Scottish Government, is between the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula and Corsewall Point on the Rhins of Galloway.[4]
Highland Boundary Fault
The Highland Boundary Fault enters the Firth off the east coast of Kintyre in the south. The fault crosses the southern tip of the Cowal peninsula, where it can be seen on the surface by the presence of red sandstone. It continues to Helensburgh in the north, then continues past the east coast of Scotland. The fault can be followed across Scotland for at least 240 km (150 mi), the fault is of great age and it's remains are broken by more recent geological movement of the earths crust.[9][10]
Sea Lochs
Fourteen sea lochs join the Firth, the largest being Loch Fyne.
Peninsulas
The Cowal peninsula extends into the Firth of Clyde and forms the main western shoreline of the upper Firth.[11] The main town on the Cowal peninsula is Dunoon. Ardlamont Point on the Ardlamont Peninsula, that extends off of Cowal, is the southern tip of the Ardlamont and Cowal Peninsulas.[12]
The ferries across the Firth save time compared to traveling "round by road", via Loch Eck side (A815 road), the Rest and Be Thankful (A83 road) and Loch Lomond side (A82 road).The service between Dunoon and Gourock in Inverclyde is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, the Public Service provider.[13]This service carries only foot passengers and connects directly with the ScotRail service to Glasgow.[14]Western Ferries, is a Private Limited Company,[15] it operates the service between Hunters Quay and McInroy's Point near to Gourock. This service carries all types of vehicular transport, as well as foot passengers.[16]
The Kintyre peninsula forms the main west coastline of the lower Firth.
The Rosneath peninsula is formed by the Gare Loch in the east, and Loch Long in the west, both merge with the upper Firth of Clyde. There is a Caledonian MacBrayne passenger only service across the Firth to Gourock from Kilcreggan.
Firth Islands
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Arran_sunset.jpg/220px-Arran_sunset.jpg)
There are many islands in the Firth. The largest three all have thriving communities and regular ferry services connecting them to the mainland. They are:
Firth Lighthouses
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/The_Gantocks_-_geograph.org.uk_-_839222.jpg/220px-The_Gantocks_-_geograph.org.uk_-_839222.jpg)
There are lighthouses at:
- Cloch Point on the Inverclyde coast.[17]
- Toward Point Lighthouse on the Cowal Peninsula.[18]
- Little Cumbrae Lighthouse[19]
- Pladda, South of Arran[20]
- Ailsa Craig Lighthouse, Ailsa Craig[21]
- Pillar Rock Point lighthouse, also known as Holy Isle outer Lighthouse, Arran[22]
- Holy Isle, Inner lighthouse, also known as Holy Isle, Arran[23]
There are navigation beacons at:
- The Gantocks Rocks and Navigation Beacon, off the coast at Dunoon, Cowal Peninsula.[24]
- Horse Isle Beacon, Horse Isle, Ardrossan Built 1811.[25]
Firth shoreline settlements
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Firth_of_Clyde%2C_from_West_Bay%2C_Dunoon%2C_Cowal%2C_Argyll_and_Bute.jpg/220px-Firth_of_Clyde%2C_from_West_Bay%2C_Dunoon%2C_Cowal%2C_Argyll_and_Bute.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Yachts_off_Inverkip_-_geograph.org.uk_-_663046.jpg/220px-Yachts_off_Inverkip_-_geograph.org.uk_-_663046.jpg)
- Ardbeg, Ardrossan, Ascog, Ayr
- Barassie, Blackwaterfoot, Brodick
- Campbeltown, Cardross, Carradale, Corrie, Catacol
- Dumbarton, Dunoon, Dunure
- Fairlie
- Gourock, Greenock, Girvan, Grogport
- Helensburgh, Hunter's Quay
- Innellan, Inverkip, Irvine
- Kilcreggan, Kilchattan Bay, Kildonan, Kilmory, Kilmun, Kingarth, Kirn
- Lagg, Lamlash, Largs, Lochranza
- Machrie, Maidens, Millport
- Peninver, Pirnmill, Port Bannatyne, Portencross, Port Glasgow, Portkil, Prestwick
- Rothesay
- Saddell, Sannox, Saltcoats, Seamill, Skipness, Skelmorlie, Sliddery, Southend, Stevenston, Strone
- Tarbert, Toward, Troon, Turnberry
- Wemyss Bay, West Kilbride, Whiting Bay
Nature and conservation
Clyde Sill MPA(NC) | |
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![]() Location and extent of the Clyde Sill MPA in the Firth of Clyde | |
Location | Firth of Clyde, Scotland |
Area | 712 km2 (275 sq mi)[26] |
Designation | Scottish Government |
Established | 2014 |
Operator | Marine Scotland |
The Field Studies Council has a marine research station, based in Millport, on the island of Great Cumbrae.[27]
Common Seals and Grey Seals abound in the Firth. Harbour Porpoises are also common. While Dolphins are much less common, some were spotted in the upper reaches of the Firth in the summer of 2005.[28]Very uncommon are Humpback Whales, as are the Minke Whales.[29]Even rarer are Killer Whales.[30][31]
Also, in 2005, the Firth had the second-highest number of Basking Shark sightings in Scotland (after the Minch). These huge sharks seem to particularly favour the warm, shallow waters surrounding Pladda, south of [[Isle of Arran|Arran..[32]
However, although commercial fishing was at one time intensive in the Firth's many fishing towns, today the only catches of commercial interest remaining in the Clyde waters are prawns, lobsters, herring, mussels, and crayfish.
Conservation
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Cetorhinus_maximus_atlantic.jpg/220px-Cetorhinus_maximus_atlantic.jpg)
In September 2008, Scotland's first No Take Zone (NTZ) was introduced in Lamlash Bay, on the Isle of Arran. This was the result of a community effort, led by the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (C.O.A.S.T). The NTZ was introduced specifically to protect delicate marine communities such as Maerl. Maerl is a very slow-growing coral-like calcareous red algae (it grows only 1 mm per year). It is an important Scottish species. Maerl beds are reservoirs of biodiversity and are crucial nursery grounds for young scallops and young fish. Studies have shown that both scallop dredging and organic waste from fish farms significantly reduce the live Maerl population. Scallop dredging on a Maerl bed has been found to kill over 70% of live Maerl. Monitoring the bed over the next four years found no discernible recovery, suggesting that Maerl beds would require many years free of disturbance in order to recover.[33]
In 2014, 71,200 hectares (712 km2) of sea at the mouth of Firth between Kintyre and the Rhins of Galloway was declared a Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area, designated Clyde Sill MPA(NC).[26] The MPA covers a distinctive sill at the mouth of the Firth, where the warmer, fresher water of the Clyde mixes with the cooler, more saline water of the North Channel. This is a rich environment for plankton, which provide food for fish that are in turn eaten by higher marine predators and seabirds.[34]
Shipping
The Firth of Clyde has some of the deepest sea channels in Northern Europe. It can accommodate the largest Capesize vessels afloat today. As a result, the Clyde has one of the UK's leading ports, at Clydeport, part of The Peel Group.[35] The facility handles cargo from container ships at the Greenock Ocean Terminal.
Supertankers visit the Firth to deliver crude oil to Finnart Oil Terminal in Loch Long, which is connected by pipeline to the Grangemouth Refinery on the Firth of Forth. Both owned by Petroineos, a joint venture between Ineos and Petrochina.[36] A second pipeline brings back refined oil products to the Finart Oil Terminal for export (in smaller oil tankers) mainly to Northern Ireland.[37][38]
Shipyards
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/BAE_Govan_Shipyard_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2088722.jpg/220px-BAE_Govan_Shipyard_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2088722.jpg)
On the upper Clyde, at Govan and Scotstoun both in Glasgow, two major shipyards are still in operation. They are owned by BAE Systems,[39] whose major client is the Royal Navy.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Ferguson_Marine_shipyard_gate_-_geograph.org.uk_-_6368530.jpg/220px-Ferguson_Marine_shipyard_gate_-_geograph.org.uk_-_6368530.jpg)
On the lower Clyde, only one shipyard still operates, Ferguson Marine, which is located next to Newark Castle, Port Glasgow. The Scottish Government now own the yard.[40][41]
The Garvel Dry Dock in Greenock continues in operation for ship repair. The large Inchgreen Dry Dock in Greenock is in occasional use.
The remains of former sites of shipyards on the Clyde are being redeveloped into areas that contain residential housing, leisure facilities, and commercial buildings.[42][43]
On the Firth itself, Ardmaleish Boatbuilding are based at Ardmaleish, near to Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute.[44]
Cruise Terminal
The Greenock Ocean Terminal, operated by The Peel Group, has in recent years increasing cruise liner visits, located in Greenock.[45][46]
'Visiting Liners'
![]() |
- Queen Anne[47]
- Regal Princess[48]
- Queen Mary 2[49]
- Mein Schiff 3[50]
- Celebrity Silhouette[51]
- Sirena[52]
'Historic Liner Visits'
Shipwrecks
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/MV_Captayannis-May2023-Hassan_Ghani.jpg/220px-MV_Captayannis-May2023-Hassan_Ghani.jpg)
![]() |
- Enterprise, 19 November 1882, collision then sank.[54]
- Wallachia, 29th September 1895, sank after grounding in fog.[55][56]
- Maillé Brézé, 30 April 1931, Lost by accidental explosion.[57]
- U-33, German submarine, attacked and sunk, south of Pladda, Arran, 12 February 1940.[58]
- HMS Vandal, 24 February 1943, Sunk in an accident.[59]
- HMS Dasher (D37), 27 March 1943, blew up and sank.[60]
- HMS Sealion (72S), 13 March 1946, used for target practice.[61]
- MV Akka, 4 April 1956, sank after grounding on the Gantocks rocks.[62]
- MV Captayannis, 27 January 1974. Known locally as the Sugar Boat.[63]
'Salvaged wrecks'
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/HMSM_Vitality_FL22809.jpg/220px-HMSM_Vitality_FL22809.jpg)
- Comet II, launched in 1821, collision and sank 21 October 1825, salvaged 21 July 1826.[64]
- HMS K13, Submarine, Sank 29 January 1917, salvaged 15 March 1917.[65]
- HMS Untamed, Submarine, sank 30 May 1943, salvaged 5 July 1943.[66]
Armed Forces
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/HMS_Vigilant_alongside_Faslane_Naval_Base._MOD_45147682.jpg/220px-HMS_Vigilant_alongside_Faslane_Naval_Base._MOD_45147682.jpg)
The Royal Navy has a significant presence on the Firth of Clyde, HMNB Clyde is known as Faslane within the navy and is located on Loch Long. HMNB Clydes role is with the servicing and maintenance of the UK submarine defence fleet. The base has other locations around the Firth.[67]
Babcock International.[68] are involved in the engineering and operations at the base.
In Glen Douglas, at the upper (western) end of the glen is the DM Glen Douglas military munitions depot. Plans have been anounced in February 2024, to demolish an undisclosed part of the site.[69]
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/PS_Waverley_off_Brodick_castle_1989.jpg/220px-PS_Waverley_off_Brodick_castle_1989.jpg)
The Clyde has been an important sea route from the earliest times. For example, the Battle of Largs, which was fought there in 1263, was a geopolitical turning point: It marked the end of Norse ambitions in Britain.[70] Beginning in the 16th century, the Clyde increasingly became a conduit for commercial and industrial products, including: herring; timber; wine; sugar; tobacco; textiles; iron and steel; coal; oil; industrial chemicals; distillation and brewing; ships, locomotives, and other vehicles; and other manufactured products.
In the middle of the 19th century, the sport of yachting became popular on the Clyde. The area became famous worldwide for its significant contribution to yachting and yachtbuilding with notable designers including: William Fife III; Alfred Mylne; G L Watson; David Boyd. It was also the location of many famous yacht yards. Clyde-built wooden yachts are still known for quality and style today.
The "lower Clyde" shipyards of Greenock and Port Glasgow, most notably Scott Lithgow, played an important historical role in shipbuilding. The PS Comet was the first successful steamboat in Europe, and, until well into the 20th century, a large proportion of the world's ships were built there.
Tourism
With the advent of tourism in Victorian times, the area became popular with Glaswegians and residents of neighbouring towns and counties who travelled "doon the watter" (the Firth) on Clyde steamers to holiday in the picturesque seaside towns and villages that line the Firth, with the more wealthy building substantial holiday homes along its coasts. Many towns, such as Gourock, Largs, Ayr, Dunoon, Rothesay, flourished during this period and became fully fledged resorts with well-appointed hotels and attractions. Golf courses, including major championship courses, proliferated.
Today, tourism, sport and recreation, and heritage history continue to attract visitors from across the world. The steam-powered PS Waverley—in addition to its regular service—still makes cruising trips to the coastal towns that have been popular tourist destinations since the 19th century. The Firth is ringed by many castles and buildings of historical importance that are open to the public, including Inveraray Castle, Brodick Castle, the opulent Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute, and Culzean Castle, which is the most visited attraction owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Ocean liners frequently call at Greenock, and Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow Prestwick Airport are nearby. There is frequent rail service to and from the coast, including links to Oban and Fort William, with city terminals in Glasgow and Edinburgh. There is also daily ferry service between the area and Belfast.
Shipyards
The Firth of Clyde, like the River Clyde, has historically been an important centre of shipbuilding and shipping. Upriver, there have been shipbuilding and engineering centres at Glasgow, Govan, Clydebank, Dumbarton, and Renfrew. Downriver, there have been major yards at Greenock and Port Glasgow; smaller yards at Irvine, Ardrossan, Troon, and Campbeltown; and various other boatyards, including those at Hunters Quay, Port Bannatyne, and Fairlie. Today, the Ferguson Marine shipbuilding yard, adjacent to Newark Castle, Port Glasgow, is the last merchant shipbuilder on the Clyde, and it is owned by the Scottish Government.[41]In Greenock, the large dry dock and ship-repair facilities at Inchgreen opened in 1964, and were subsequently taken over by Scott Lithgow. The dry dock there is 305 m long and 44 m wide. With the demise of Scott Lithgow, the facilities came under the management of Clydeport, which, along with Cammell Laird, is now part of Peel Ports Group.
Shipping
The Hunterston Terminal was constructed to bring in bulk ore, but later mainly dealt with coal imports, and closed in 2016.[71]
Armed Forces
HMS Gannet, the Fleet Air Arm Search and Rescue site at Prestwick Airport. The helicopters (Sea King) that were based here were used in the rescue and airlift operations across the United Kingdom. The base was closed on 1 January 2016, with Maritime and Coastguard Agency taking over the role.[72][73]
'Submarine Squadron 14'
Cold War, The United States of America maintained a US Navy base during the Cold War in the Holy Loch off the Firth. Submarine Squadron 14 or SUBRON14, also known as `Site one, Holy Loch` was in operation between 1 July 1958 up until the end of the Cold War. The last deployed Submarine Tender left the Holy Loch and Firth on 3 March 1992.[74]
World War II, During World War II, Glasgow and the Firth of Clyde became the main entry point in Britain for the Allied forces’ merchant shipping, military personnel, and equipment, and for the assembly, despatch, and control of their ocean convoys. The Clyde also hosted the country's largest naval base. In 1942, a submarine oil pipeline that had been laid across the Firth of Clyde was the site of Operation Pluto, the world's first deep-water test of its kind. This was one of many innovations designed to support air, maritime, and territorial combat during World War II.
The Holy Loch was a base for Royal Navy, Submarines during the World War II. (3rd Submarine Flotilla (United Kingdom)). HMS Forth was for a time based in the loch as the submarine depot ship.[75]
During both World wars, the Cloch Point To Dunoon Anti-submarine Boom was in place.[76][77]
Environment
Since the Industrial Revolution, the natural environment of the Firth has been compromised. Many locations have been affected by a succession of industrial and military developments along the shorelin. Including the shipyards, Hunterston B nuclear power station and the Hunterston Terminal. Many of these locations are now dorment or being redeveloped.[78]
Climate
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The Firth's maritime climate is considerably milder than contintental locations at the same latitide. Whilst the reason for this mild climate is the subject of debate[80] it is historically considered to be due to the moderating influence of the North Atlantic Drift, a warm oceanic current that is the eastern extension of the Gulf Stream[81] which originates in the tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Concerns
World wide, human-made causes including the over-exploitation and the pollution of water systems, are among the biggest threats and concerns which are damaging aquatic ecosystems and in extreme cases cause ecological death.
The durability of plastic's in the natural environment, plastic pollution, imposes threats on aquatic life and the aquatic ecosystems. Plastic debris may result in entanglement and ingestion by aquatic life such as birds, fish and marine mammals, causing severe injury or death. Human livelihoods and life itself can also be impacted by plastic pollution. In severe cases, with effects on surrounding tourism or real estate value, the clogging of drains and other hydraulic infrastructure leading to increased flood risk and further pollution.[82][83]
See also
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- ^ "Hunterston port 'masterplan' revealed promising £140m boost". BBC News. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ "HMS Gannet Search and Rescue unit finishes operations | Royal Navy".
- ^ "Sea King flight bids Scotland farewell". BBC News. 14 January 2016.
- ^ tech, vidushi (1 January 1992). "HISTORY OF SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOURTEEN".
- ^ "Holy Loch - Maritime & Admiralty matters". holyloch.co.uk.
- ^ "Clyde Defences, Cloch Point To Dunoon Anti-submarine Boom | Canmore". canmore.org.uk.
- ^ "Secret Scotland - Cloch Boom". secretscotland.org.uk.
- ^ Digital, Innovation. "River Clyde developments: Housing, commercial, retail & leisure projects". www.clydewaterfront.com.
- ^ "Climate & Weather Averages in Greenock, Scotland, United Kingdom". Timeanddate.com. Retrieved 9 October 2019.. Data for period 1985–2015.
- ^ "The Gulf Stream Myth". ocp.ldeo.columbia.edu.
- ^ "Weather Facts: Accessory clouds | weatheronline.co.uk". www.weatheronline.co.uk.
- ^ van Emmerik, Tim; Schwarz, Anna (January 2020). "Plastic debris in rivers". WIREs Water. 7 (1). Bibcode:2020WIRWa...7E1398V. doi:10.1002/wat2.1398.
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Sources
- The Clyde: River and Firth, 1907 and reissued 2010, Neil Munro, with illustrations by Mary Y and Y Young Hunter
- The Firth of Clyde, 1952, George Blake
- Glasgow and the Clyde, 1965, Ward Lock Guide
- Clyde Coast Connections, 2010, Neil Grieves
- From Comet to Cal Mac : Two Centuries of Hebridean and Clyde Shipping, 2011, Donald E Meek and Bruce Peter
- Firth of Clyde: Sailing Directions and Anchorages, 2012, Clyde Cruising Club
- HM Naval Base: Clyde, 2012, Keith Hall
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Wiktionary-logo-en-v2.svg/40px-Wiktionary-logo-en-v2.svg.png)
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- Map sources for Firth of Clyde
- Firth of Clyde
- Scottish coast
- Estuaries of Scotland
- Cowal
- Firths of Scotland
- Islands of the Clyde
- Landforms of Argyll and Bute
- Landforms of Inverclyde
- Landforms of North Ayrshire
- Landforms of South Ayrshire
- Highland Boundary Fault
- Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas of Scotland
- Geography of Scotland
- Bodies of water of Scotland
- Bodies of water of the Irish Sea