{"vid":"142130","uid":"0","title":"Facts and figures about Scotland's sea area (coastline length, sea area in sq kms)","log":"Edited by LiamM.","status":"1","comment":"1","promote":"0","sticky":"0","ds_switch":"","nid":"4677","type":"data_source","language":"und","created":"1446151909","changed":"1701098428","tnid":"0","translate":"0","revision_timestamp":"1701098428","revision_uid":"57","body":{"und":[{"value":"
How long is the coastline of Scotland?
\r\n\r\nWe estimate Scotland\u2019s coastline to be 18,743 km in length along the high water line (\u201cmean high water spring\u201d or MHWS)
\r\n\r\nCoastlines are difficult to measure accurately because of the coastline paradox. All published figures are estimated, and will vary depending on the size of the ruler used to measure (the scale of the map).
\r\n\r\nSource: Ordnance Survey Boundary-Line
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
How big are Scotland\u2019s seas?
\r\n\r\nWe estimate the area of Scotland\u2019s seas to be 462,315 km2 using the definition of the \u201cScottish zone\u201d in the Scotland Act 1998 (see table below for other definitions). Scotland\u2019s seas are nearly six times larger than the land area of Scotland.
\r\n\r\nThe figure above reflects the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to Scotland, which accounts for 63% of the UK EEZ.
\r\n\r\n\u200bThe area of sea can vary depending on the map projection and coastline scale used for the calculations. A more detailed coastline can introduce variations and additional islands and skerries.
\r\n\r\nSources: UKHO Maritime Limits | SEPA Transitional and Coastal Water Bodies | JNCC MPA Statistics.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
How many islands does Scotland have?
\r\n\r\nWe estimate Scotland to have over 900 islands, of which 118 are inhabited.
\r\n\r\nThe most remote Scottish island is Rockall, which is around 300 km from Hirta (Hiort) in the St Kilda archipelago.
\r\n\r\nSource: National Records of Scotland (NRS)
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Which part of Scotland is furthest from the sea?
\r\n\r\nWe estimate the furthest point from the sea to be Glen Quoich near Braemar, which is around 65 km from the sea.
\r\n\r\nSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
How deep are Scotland\u2019s seas?
\r\n\r\nThe deepest point in the Scottish zone is the Rockall Trough, with a depth of around 2,500m.
\r\n\r\nOn the extended continental shelf beyond Rockall, the deepest point in the Scottish offshore region is over 3,000 m deep. (For comparison, the summit of Ben Nevis is 1,345 m above sea level.)
\r\n\r\nThe average depth of the Scottish zone is around 600 m below sea level, or nearly 1 km (903 m) including the continental shelf limits.
\r\n\r\nSource: EMODnet 1/16 ArcMinute DEM
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
How many Marine Protected Areas are in Scotland? How much of Scottish seas are covered by Marine Protected Areas?
\r\n\r\nAs of March 2022, there are 233 sites for nature conservation covering 228,118 km2 or 37% of the continental shelf area adjacent to Scotland. Sites can have overlapping designations.
\r\n\r\nThese figure does not include other types of MPA such as Historic MPAs, Demonstration & Research MPAs, or marine management areas such as fisheries-specific restrictions.
\r\n\r\nSource: JNCC and Scottish Government
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
How long are Scotland\u2019s rivers and streams?
\r\n\r\nScotland has more than 125,000 km of rivers and streams varying from small highland burns to deep, wide lowland rivers such as the Tay.
\r\n\r\nThere is also a 220 km canal network in Scotland.
\r\n\r\nThere are over 25,500 lochs in Scotland, with the Western Isles and Sutherland having the highest concentration of lochs.
\r\n\r\nSource: SEPA
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Table 1: Sea areas of the waters adjacent to Scotland, by United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea definitions
\r\n\r\nIllustrative Map | \r\n\t\t\tLandward Boundary | \r\n\t\t\tSeaward Boundary | \r\n\t\t\tDescription | \r\n\t\t\tArea (km2) | \r\n\t\t
---|---|---|---|---|
[[{\"fid\":\"213191\",\"view_mode\":\"default\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Illustrative map of the intertidal area around Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"13\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Illustrative map of the intertidal area around Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"Illustrative map of the intertidal area around Scotland\",\"style\":\"float:right; height:100px; width:71px\",\"class\":\"file-default media-element\",\"data-delta\":\"13\"}}]] | \r\n\t\t\tMean High Water Spring (MHWS) | \r\n\t\t\tMean Low Water Spring (MLWS) | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t1,202 | \r\n\t\t
[[{\"fid\":\"201888\",\"view_mode\":\"default\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Internal waters adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"10\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Internal waters adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"Internal waters adjacent to Scotland\",\"style\":\"float:right; height:100px; width:66px\",\"class\":\"file-default media-element\",\"data-delta\":\"10\"}}]] | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\tBaseline of the Territorial Sea (TS) | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t34,920 | \r\n\t\t
[[{\"fid\":\"201882\",\"view_mode\":\"default\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Coastal and transitional waters (3NM) adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"6\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Coastal and transitional waters (3NM) adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"Coastal and transitional waters (3NM) adjacent to Scotland\",\"style\":\"float:right; height:100px; width:100px\",\"class\":\"file-default media-element\",\"data-delta\":\"6\"}}]] | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t3NM from baseline | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t48,710 | \r\n\t\t
[[{\"fid\":\"201881\",\"view_mode\":\"default\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Inshore waters (6NM) adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"5\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Inshore waters (6NM) adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"Inshore waters (6NM) adjacent to Scotland\",\"style\":\"float:right; height:100px; width:100px\",\"class\":\"file-default media-element\",\"data-delta\":\"5\"}}]] | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t6NM from baseline | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t62,212 | \r\n\t\t
[[{\"fid\":\"201878\",\"view_mode\":\"default\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The territorial sea (12NM) limit adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"2\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The territorial sea (12NM) limit adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"The territorial sea (12NM) limit adjacent to Scotland\",\"style\":\"float:right; height:100px; width:100px\",\"class\":\"file-default media-element\",\"data-delta\":\"2\"}}]] | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\tTerritorial Sea Limit (up to 12NM from baseline) | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t90,400 | \r\n\t\t
[[{\"fid\":\"201879\",\"view_mode\":\"default\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"3\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to Scotland\",\"style\":\"float:right; height:100px; width:100px\",\"class\":\"file-default media-element\",\"data-delta\":\"3\"}}]] | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\tExclusive Economic Zone Limit (up to 200NM from baseline) | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t462,315 | \r\n\t\t
[[{\"fid\":\"201880\",\"view_mode\":\"default\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The Continental Shelf limits adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"4\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The Continental Shelf limits adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"The Continental Shelf limits adjacent to Scotland\",\"style\":\"float:right; height:100px; width:100px\",\"class\":\"file-default media-element\",\"data-delta\":\"4\"}}]] | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\tContinental Shelf Limits (up to 350NM from baseline) | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t617,643 | \r\n\t\t
[[{\"fid\":\"201890\",\"view_mode\":\"default\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Territorial sea, outside internal waters, adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"12\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"Territorial sea, outside internal waters, adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"Territorial sea, outside internal waters, adjacent to Scotland\",\"style\":\"float:right; height:100px; width:70px\",\"class\":\"file-default media-element\",\"data-delta\":\"12\"}}]] | \r\n\t\t\tBaseline | \r\n\t\t\tTerritorial Sea Limit | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t55,480 | \r\n\t\t
[[{\"fid\":\"201885\",\"view_mode\":\"default\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The exclusive economic zone, outside territorial sea, adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"8\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The exclusive economic zone, outside territorial sea, adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"The exclusive economic zone, outside territorial sea, adjacent to Scotland\",\"style\":\"float:right; height:100px; width:100px\",\"class\":\"file-default media-element\",\"data-delta\":\"8\"}}]] | \r\n\t\t\tTerritorial Sea Limit | \r\n\t\t\tExclusive Economic Zone Limit | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t371,915 | \r\n\t\t
[[{\"fid\":\"201886\",\"view_mode\":\"default\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The continental shelf limits, outside territorial sea, adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"9\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The continental shelf limits, outside territorial sea, adjacent to Scotland\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"The continental shelf limits, outside territorial sea, adjacent to Scotland\",\"style\":\"float:right; height:100px; width:100px\",\"class\":\"file-default media-element\",\"data-delta\":\"9\"}}]] | \r\n\t\t\tTerritorial Sea Limit | \r\n\t\t\tContinental Shelf Limits | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t527,243 | \r\n\t\t
[[{\"fid\":\"213192\",\"view_mode\":\"default\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The Special Area agreed between the UK and Kingdom of Denmark on behalf of the Faroe Islands\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"field_deltas\":{\"14\":{\"format\":\"default\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"The Special Area agreed between the UK and Kingdom of Denmark on behalf of the Faroe Islands\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":false,\"external_url\":\"\"}},\"attributes\":{\"alt\":\"The Special Area agreed between the UK and Kingdom of Denmark on behalf of the Faroe Islands\",\"style\":\"float:right; height:100px; width:100px\",\"class\":\"file-default media-element\",\"data-delta\":\"14\"}}]] | \r\n\t\t\tSchedule B of the The Exclusive Economic Zone Order 2013 | \r\n\t\t\tSchedule A of the The Exclusive Economic Zone Order 2013 | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t
| \r\n\t\t\t8,014 | \r\n\t\t
NM = nautical mile
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Table 2: Sea area, coastlines and depths of the Scottish Marine Regions and Offshore Marine Regions (to Continental Shelf Limits)
\r\n\r\nScottish Marine Area | \r\n\t\t\tRegion | \r\n\t\t\tArea (km2) | \r\n\t\t\tDistance along MHWS (km)* | \r\n\t\t\tDeepest Point (m) | \r\n\t\t\tShallowest Point (m) | \r\n\t\t\tAverage Depth (m) | \r\n\t\t
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forth and Tay | \r\n\t\t\tInshore | \r\n\t\t\t4,487 | \r\n\t\t\t775 | \r\n\t\t\t97 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t39 | \r\n\t\t
North East | \r\n\t\t\tInshore | \r\n\t\t\t3,153 | \r\n\t\t\t307 | \r\n\t\t\t224 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t63 | \r\n\t\t
Moray Firth | \r\n\t\t\tInshore | \r\n\t\t\t5,876 | \r\n\t\t\t985 | \r\n\t\t\t256 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t50 | \r\n\t\t
Orkney Islands | \r\n\t\t\tInshore | \r\n\t\t\t9,256 | \r\n\t\t\t1,228 | \r\n\t\t\t195 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t65 | \r\n\t\t
Shetland Isles | \r\n\t\t\tInshore | \r\n\t\t\t12,309 | \r\n\t\t\t2,382 | \r\n\t\t\t188 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t93 | \r\n\t\t
North Coast | \r\n\t\t\tInshore | \r\n\t\t\t2,443 | \r\n\t\t\t544 | \r\n\t\t\t124 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t68 | \r\n\t\t
West Highlands | \r\n\t\t\tInshore | \r\n\t\t\t10,420 | \r\n\t\t\t3,656 | \r\n\t\t\t322 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t82 | \r\n\t\t
Outer Hebrides | \r\n\t\t\tInshore | \r\n\t\t\t20,848 | \r\n\t\t\t3,915 | \r\n\t\t\t268 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t88 | \r\n\t\t
Argyll | \r\n\t\t\tInshore | \r\n\t\t\t12,044 | \r\n\t\t\t2,918 | \r\n\t\t\t320 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t66 | \r\n\t\t
Clyde | \r\n\t\t\tInshore | \r\n\t\t\t4,279 | \r\n\t\t\t1,256 | \r\n\t\t\t198 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t58 | \r\n\t\t
Solway | \r\n\t\t\tInshore | \r\n\t\t\t3,724 | \r\n\t\t\t777 | \r\n\t\t\t314 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t52 | \r\n\t\t
Long Forties | \r\n\t\t\tOffshore | \r\n\t\t\t34,508 | \r\n\t\t\tn/a | \r\n\t\t\t178 | \r\n\t\t\t32 | \r\n\t\t\t80 | \r\n\t\t
Fladen and Moray Firth Offshore | \r\n\t\t\tOffshore | \r\n\t\t\t40,261 | \r\n\t\t\tn/a | \r\n\t\t\t248 | \r\n\t\t\t35 | \r\n\t\t\t111 | \r\n\t\t
East Shetland Shelf | \r\n\t\t\tOffshore | \r\n\t\t\t33,713 | \r\n\t\t\tn/a | \r\n\t\t\t175 | \r\n\t\t\t58 | \r\n\t\t\t128 | \r\n\t\t
North and West Shetland Shelf | \r\n\t\t\tOffshore | \r\n\t\t\t28,676 | \r\n\t\t\tn/a | \r\n\t\t\t623 | \r\n\t\t\t72 | \r\n\t\t\t254 | \r\n\t\t
Faroe Shetland Channel | \r\n\t\t\tOffshore | \r\n\t\t\t42,752 | \r\n\t\t\tn/a | \r\n\t\t\t2,418 | \r\n\t\t\t343 | \r\n\t\t\t1,304 | \r\n\t\t
North Scotland Shelf | \r\n\t\t\tOffshore | \r\n\t\t\t28,820 | \r\n\t\t\tn/a | \r\n\t\t\t1,073 | \r\n\t\t\t15 | \r\n\t\t\t213 | \r\n\t\t
Hebrides Shelf | \r\n\t\t\tOffshore | \r\n\t\t\t30,437 | \r\n\t\t\tn/a | \r\n\t\t\t1,359 | \r\n\t\t\t19 | \r\n\t\t\t241 | \r\n\t\t
Bailey | \r\n\t\t\tOffshore | \r\n\t\t\t74,797 | \r\n\t\t\tn/a | \r\n\t\t\t2,360 | \r\n\t\t\t322 | \r\n\t\t\t1,365 | \r\n\t\t
Hatton | \r\n\t\t\tOffshore | \r\n\t\t\t155,215 | \r\n\t\t\tn/a | \r\n\t\t\t3,185 | \r\n\t\t\t158 | \r\n\t\t\t1,783 | \r\n\t\t
Rockall ** | \r\n\t\t\tOffshore | \r\n\t\t\t59,625 | \r\n\t\t\t# | \r\n\t\t\t2,576 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t1,386 | \r\n\t\t
Total | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t | 617,643 | \r\n\t\t\t18,743 | \r\n\t\t\t3,185 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t903 | \r\n\t\t
Scottish Zone for comparison | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t | 462,315 | \r\n\t\t\t18,743 | \r\n\t\t\t2,576 | \r\n\t\t\tMHWS | \r\n\t\t\t611 | \r\n\t\t
* Derived from OS Boundary-Line and subject to the coastline paradox
\r\n\r\n** The Rockall assessment area also includes the inshore area within the territorial sea. The territorial sea around Rockall is part of the \u201cScottish inshore region\u201d under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, but is not defined as a Scottish Marine Region in the The Scottish Marine Regions Order 2015.
\r\n\r\n# The coastline of Rockall is not mapped at a suitable scale
\r\n\r\nSources: OceanWise 1 ArcSecond DEM | EMODnet 1/16 ArcMinute DEM | Ordnance Survey Boundary-Line | UKHO Maritime Limits
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Table 3: Sea areas of UK Countries and Crown Dependencies
\r\n\r\nDescription | \r\n\t\t\tArea (km2) | \r\n\t\t\tApprox. % | \r\n\t\t
---|---|---|
Scottish zone | \r\n\t\t\t462,315 | \r\n\t\t\t63% | \r\n\t\t
English zone | \r\n\t\t\t230,190 | \r\n\t\t\t32% | \r\n\t\t
Welsh zone | \r\n\t\t\t30,778 | \r\n\t\t\t4% | \r\n\t\t
Northern Irish zone | \r\n\t\t\t6,819 | \r\n\t\t\t1% | \r\n\t\t
UK Exclusive Economic Zone (Total) | \r\n\t\t\t730,102 | \r\n\t\t\t100% | \r\n\t\t
Isle of Man territorial waters | \r\n\t\t\t3,976 | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t |
Guernsey territorial waters | \r\n\t\t\t3,691 | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t |
Jersey territorial waters | \r\n\t\t\t2,965 | \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t |
Source: UKHO Maritime Limits
\r\n","summary":"","format":"full_html","safe_value":"How long is the coastline of Scotland?
\nWe estimate Scotland\u2019s coastline to be 18,743 km in length along the high water line (\u201cmean high water spring\u201d or MHWS)
\nCoastlines are difficult to measure accurately because of the coastline paradox.\u00a0 All published figures are estimated, and will vary depending on the size of the ruler used to measure (the scale of the map).\u00a0
\nSource: Ordnance Survey Boundary-Line
\n\u00a0
\nHow big are Scotland\u2019s seas?
\nWe estimate the area of Scotland\u2019s seas to be 462,315 km2 using the definition of the \u201cScottish zone\u201d in the Scotland Act 1998\u00a0(see table below for other definitions).\u00a0 Scotland\u2019s seas are nearly six times larger than the land area of Scotland.
\nThe figure above reflects the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to Scotland, which accounts for 63% of the UK EEZ.
\n\u200bThe area of sea can vary depending on the map projection and coastline scale used for the calculations. A more detailed coastline can introduce variations and additional islands and skerries.
\nSources: UKHO Maritime Limits | SEPA Transitional and Coastal Water Bodies\u00a0| JNCC MPA Statistics.
\n\u00a0
\nHow many islands does Scotland have?
\nWe estimate Scotland to have over 900 islands, of which 118 are inhabited.
\nThe most remote Scottish island is Rockall, which is around 300\u00a0km from Hirta\u00a0(Hiort) in the St Kilda archipelago.
\nSource: National Records of Scotland (NRS)
\n\u00a0
\nWhich part of Scotland is furthest from the sea?
\nWe estimate the furthest point from the sea to be Glen Quoich near Braemar, which is around\u00a065 km from the sea.
\nSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names.
\n\u00a0
\nHow deep are Scotland\u2019s seas?
\nThe deepest point in the Scottish zone is the Rockall Trough, with a depth of around 2,500m.\u00a0
\nOn the extended continental shelf beyond Rockall,\u00a0the deepest point in the Scottish offshore region is over 3,000 m deep.\u00a0 (For comparison, the summit of Ben Nevis is 1,345 m above sea level.)
\nThe average depth of the Scottish zone is around 600 m below sea level, or nearly 1 km (903 m) including the continental shelf limits.
\nSource: EMODnet 1/16 ArcMinute DEM \u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nHow many Marine Protected Areas are in Scotland? How much of Scottish seas are covered by Marine Protected Areas?
\nAs of March 2022, there are 233 sites for nature conservation covering 228,118 km2 or 37% of the continental shelf area adjacent to Scotland.\u00a0Sites can have overlapping designations.\u00a0
\nThese figure does not include other types of MPA such as Historic MPAs, Demonstration & Research MPAs,\u00a0or marine management areas such as\u00a0fisheries-specific restrictions.
\nSource: JNCC\u00a0and Scottish Government
\n\u00a0
\nHow long are Scotland\u2019s rivers and streams?
\nScotland has more than 125,000 km of rivers and streams varying from small highland burns to deep, wide lowland rivers such as the Tay.
\nThere is also a 220 km canal network in Scotland.
\nThere are over 25,500 lochs in Scotland, with the Western Isles and Sutherland having the highest concentration of lochs.
\nSource: SEPA
\n\u00a0
\nTable 1: Sea areas of the waters adjacent to Scotland, by United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea definitions
\nIllustrative Map | \nLandward Boundary | \nSeaward Boundary | \nDescription | \nArea (km2) | \n
---|---|---|---|---|
\n\n \n \n\n | \nMean High Water Spring (MHWS) | \nMean Low Water Spring (MLWS) | \n\n
| \n1,202 | \n
\n\n \n \n\n | \nMHWS | \nBaseline of the Territorial Sea (TS) | \n\n
| \n34,920 | \n
\n\n \n \n\n | \nMHWS | \n3NM from baseline | \n\n
| \n48,710 | \n
\n\n \n \n\n | \nMHWS | \n6NM from baseline | \n\n
| \n62,212 | \n
\n\n \n \n\n | \nMHWS | \nTerritorial Sea Limit (up to 12NM from baseline) | \n\n
| \n90,400 | \n
\n\n \n \n\n | \nMHWS | \nExclusive Economic Zone Limit (up to 200NM from baseline) | \n\n
| \n462,315 | \n
\n\n \n \n\n | \nMHWS | \nContinental Shelf Limits (up to 350NM from baseline) | \n\n
| \n617,643 | \n
\n\n \n \n\n | \nBaseline | \nTerritorial Sea Limit | \n\n
| \n55,480 | \n
\n\n \n \n\n | \nTerritorial Sea Limit | \nExclusive Economic Zone Limit | \n\n
| \n371,915 | \n
\n\n \n \n\n | \nTerritorial Sea Limit | \nContinental Shelf Limits | \n\n
| \n527,243 | \n
\n\n \n \n\n | \nSchedule B of the\u00a0The Exclusive Economic Zone Order 2013 | \nSchedule A of the\u00a0The Exclusive Economic Zone Order 2013 | \n\n
| \n8,014 | \n
NM = nautical mile
\n\u00a0
\nTable 2: Sea area, coastlines and depths of the Scottish Marine Regions and Offshore Marine Regions (to Continental Shelf Limits)
\nScottish Marine Area | \nRegion | \nArea (km2) | \nDistance along MHWS (km)* | \nDeepest Point (m) | \nShallowest Point (m) | \nAverage Depth (m) | \n
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forth and Tay | \nInshore | \n4,487 | \n775 | \n97 | \nMHWS | \n39 | \n
North East | \nInshore | \n3,153 | \n307 | \n224 | \nMHWS | \n63 | \n
Moray Firth | \nInshore | \n5,876 | \n985 | \n256 | \nMHWS | \n50 | \n
Orkney Islands | \nInshore | \n9,256 | \n1,228 | \n195 | \nMHWS | \n65 | \n
Shetland Isles | \nInshore | \n12,309 | \n2,382 | \n188 | \nMHWS | \n93 | \n
North Coast | \nInshore | \n2,443 | \n544 | \n124 | \nMHWS | \n68 | \n
West Highlands | \nInshore | \n10,420 | \n3,656 | \n322 | \nMHWS | \n82 | \n
Outer Hebrides | \nInshore | \n20,848 | \n3,915 | \n268 | \nMHWS | \n88 | \n
Argyll | \nInshore | \n12,044 | \n2,918 | \n320 | \nMHWS | \n66 | \n
Clyde | \nInshore | \n4,279 | \n1,256 | \n198 | \nMHWS | \n58 | \n
Solway | \nInshore | \n3,724 | \n777 | \n314 | \nMHWS | \n52 | \n
Long Forties | \nOffshore | \n34,508 | \nn/a | \n178 | \n32 | \n80 | \n
Fladen and Moray Firth Offshore | \nOffshore | \n40,261 | \nn/a | \n248 | \n35 | \n111 | \n
East Shetland Shelf | \nOffshore | \n33,713 | \nn/a | \n175 | \n58 | \n128 | \n
North and West Shetland Shelf | \nOffshore | \n28,676 | \nn/a | \n623 | \n72 | \n254 | \n
Faroe Shetland Channel | \nOffshore | \n42,752 | \nn/a | \n2,418 | \n343 | \n1,304 | \n
North Scotland Shelf | \nOffshore | \n28,820 | \nn/a | \n1,073 | \n15 | \n213 | \n
Hebrides Shelf | \nOffshore | \n30,437 | \nn/a | \n1,359 | \n19 | \n241 | \n
Bailey | \nOffshore | \n74,797 | \nn/a | \n2,360 | \n322 | \n1,365 | \n
Hatton | \nOffshore | \n155,215 | \nn/a | \n3,185 | \n158 | \n1,783 | \n
Rockall ** | \nOffshore\u00a0 | \n59,625 | \n# | \n2,576 | \nMHWS | \n1,386 | \n
Total | \n\u00a0 | \n617,643 | \n18,743 | \n3,185 | \nMHWS | \n903 | \n
Scottish Zone for comparison | \n\u00a0 | \n462,315 | \n18,743 | \n2,576 | \nMHWS | \n611 | \n
* Derived from OS Boundary-Line and subject to the\u00a0coastline paradox
\n** The Rockall assessment area also includes the inshore area within the territorial sea. The territorial sea around Rockall is part of the \u201cScottish inshore region\u201d under\u00a0the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, but is not defined as a Scottish Marine Region in the The Scottish Marine Regions Order 2015.
\n# The coastline of Rockall is not mapped at a suitable scale
\nSources: OceanWise 1 ArcSecond DEM | EMODnet 1/16 ArcMinute DEM \u00a0| Ordnance Survey Boundary-Line | UKHO Maritime Limits
\n\u00a0
\nTable 3: Sea areas of UK Countries and Crown Dependencies
\nDescription | \nArea (km2) | \nApprox. % | \n
---|---|---|
Scottish zone | \n462,315 | \n63% | \n
English zone | \n230,190 | \n32% | \n
Welsh zone | \n30,778 | \n4% | \n
Northern Irish zone | \n6,819 | \n1% | \n
UK Exclusive Economic Zone (Total) | \n730,102 | \n100% | \n
Isle of Man territorial waters | \n3,976 | \n\u00a0 | \n
Guernsey territorial waters | \n3,691 | \n\u00a0 | \n
Jersey territorial waters | \n2,965 | \n\u00a0 | \n
Source: UKHO Maritime Limits
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