Firth of Lorn

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Firth of Lorne
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Firth of Lorne
Location in Scotland
Location Scotland, United Kingdom
Coordinates 56°20′N5°45′W / 56.333°N 5.750°W / 56.333; -5.750 Coordinates: 56°20′N5°45′W / 56.333°N 5.750°W / 56.333; -5.750
Firth of Lorn Firth of Lorn.png
Firth of Lorn

The Firth of Lorn or Lorne (Scottish Gaelic : An Linne Latharnach) is the inlet of the sea between the south-east coast of the Isle of Mull and the mainland of Scotland. It includes a number of islands, and is noted for the variety of wildlife habitats that are found. In 2005, a large part of the Firth became a Special Area of Conservation.

Contents

Geography and geology

The firth extends from the junction of the Sound of Mull and the Lynn of Lorn in the north-east, in a south-westerly direction towards Colonsay. The narrower north-eastern part is the Inner Firth, and the wider south-western part is the Outer Firth. [1] : 4  The firth takes its name from the historic province of Lorne on the adjacent mainland.

Rock platform and raised cliff at Port Donain, Isle of Mull Port Donain - geograph.org.uk - 178063 rock platform and raised cliff.jpg
Rock platform and raised cliff at Port Donain, Isle of Mull

The Firth of Lorn is a continuation of the Great Glen - the Great Glen Fault runs along the north-westerm side of the firth. [2] A conspicuous feature of the coasts of the firth is the presence of rock platforms and raised cliffs. These can be seen on the coast of Mull, on the Island of Kerrera and on the mainland. They are believed to be the result of marine erosion at a time when sea levels were higher than at present, probably during a late interglacial period. [3] The nature of the seabed in the firth has been studied by several methods, including echo-sounding, sampling with grabs, and surveys using submersible vessels. The bedrock is mainly precambrian of the Dalradian Supergroup overlain uncomformably by rocks of the Old Red Sandstone. A notable feature is the Insh fault which forms a submarine cliff up to 150m high, passing to the west of Insh Island. [4]

The Great Race, where the flood tide emerges from between Jura (S) and Scarba (N) into the main part of the Firth of Lorn Admiralty Chart No 2326 Scotland west coast Loch Crinan to Cuan Sound, Published 1856 Great Race.jpg
The Great Race, where the flood tide emerges from between Jura (S) and Scarba (N) into the main part of the Firth of Lorn

The Firth of Lorn is noted for its strong tidal currents, particularly in the channels between the islands. In the Gulf of Corryvreckan, between Jura and Scarba, tidal flows can reach 8.5 knots, and form a famous whirlpool. When the west-going flood tide emerges into the main part of the firth it can form overfalls, dangerous breaking steep seas, particularly if it meets a swell from the west or south-west. This is known as the "Great Race". Bealach a'Choin Ghlais (the channel of the "Grey Dogs"), between Scarba and Lunga being narrower, is if anything more hazardous. [5]

Habitats and conservation

Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation Map Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation Map.png
Firth of Lorn Special Area of Conservation Map

The tidal currents in the firth are not only of concern to navigators, but have a major effect on wildlife. The varied conditions, with some areas exposed to strong currents and others sheltered, and the range of depths found in the firth contributes to the great diversity of its habitats. Another contributor to diversity is that the firth is an area of overlap – some species are close to their northern limits, others are close to their southern limits. This has led to it being an area of great scientific interest, and to the establishment of the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in 2005. [1] [6] The SAC is focussed on the rocky reef habitats. Species of particular interest are the sea fan Swiftia pallida and its associated anemone Amphianthus dohrnii [6] : 20  The whole of the Firth of Lorn became a Marine Protected Area in 2014. [4]

Economic activities

Fishing in the Firth of Lorn is mainly inshore, harvesting shellfish and crustaceans. Mobile fishing includes trawling and dredging for prawns and scallops. Static fishing includes setting creels, pots or nets for prawns, lobsters, crawfish and crabs. There is also commercial diving for shellfish. [6] : 29  There is one salmon farm within the SAC, on the east coast of Lunga. [6] : 49  Dredging is of particular environmental concern on account of its potential to damage non-target species. One study carried out within the Firth of Lorn SAC has documented this impact. [7]

Marine tourism is important to the area, and includes scuba diving, sea angling, wildlife watching, sailing, and commercial boat tours. [6] : 53  Cruise ships are increasingly to be seen in the area. [6] : 71  Large cargo ships and oil tankers use the route through the Sound of Mull and the Firth of Lorn. There are numerous ferry routes in the firth. [6] : 73  The firth is the main south-western approach to the Caledonian Canal. [8]

Historically, an important activity was slate quarrying on the islands on the south-east side of the firth. This led to the islands being known as the Slate Islands. At its peak in the 19th-century slate was exported all over the world. Most production ceased in 1914, and the last quarry closed in 1960. [9]

The Firth of Lorne featured as the location for the boat chase near the end of the second James Bond film From Russia with Love, released in 1963. Also the islands of Easdale, Seil and Cuan sound all feature in Florence + the machines video, Queen of peace and long and lost. [10]

Related Research Articles

Firth is a word in the English and Scots languages used to denote various coastal waters in the United Kingdom, predominantly within Scotland. In the Northern Isles, it more often refers to a smaller inlet. It is linguistically cognate to fjord, which has a more constrained sense in English. Bodies of water named "firths" tend to be more common on the Scottish east coast, or in the southwest of the country, although the Firth of Clyde is an exception to this. The Highland coast contains numerous estuaries, straits, and inlets of a similar kind, but not called "firth" ; instead, these are often called sea lochs. Before about 1850, the spelling "Frith" was more common.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argyll and Bute</span> Council area of Scotland

Argyll and Bute is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area. The current lord-lieutenant for Argyll and Bute is Jane Margaret MacLeod. The administrative centre for the council area is in Lochgilphead at Kilmory Castle, a 19th-century Gothic Revival building and estate. The current council leader is Robin Currie, a councillor for Kintyre and the Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moray Firth</span> Inlet near Inverness, Scotland

The Moray Firth is a roughly triangular inlet of the North Sea, north and east of Inverness, which is in the Highland council area of north of Scotland. It is the largest firth in Scotland, stretching from Duncansby Head in the north, in the Highland council area, and Fraserburgh in the east, in the Aberdeenshire council area, to Inverness and the Beauly Firth in the west. Therefore, three council areas have Moray Firth coastline: Highland to the west and north of the Moray Firth and Highland, Moray and Aberdeenshire to the south. The firth has more than 800 kilometres of coastline, much of which is cliff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argyll</span> Historic county in Scotland

Argyll, sometimes called Argyllshire, is a historic county and registration county of western Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slate Islands</span>

The Slate Islands are an island group in the Inner Hebrides, lying immediately off the west coast of Scotland, north of Jura and southwest of Oban. The main islands are Seil, Easdale, Luing, Shuna, Torsa and Belnahua. Scarba and Kerrera, which lie nearby are not usually included.

The Garvellachs or Isles of the Sea form a small archipelago in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Part of the Argyll and Bute council area, they lie west of Lunga and northwest of Scarba and have been uninhabited since World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seil</span>

Seil is one of the Slate Islands, located on the east side of the Firth of Lorn, 7 miles southwest of Oban, in Scotland. Seil has been linked to the mainland by bridge since the late 18th century.

Easdale is one of the Slate Islands, in the Firth of Lorn, Scotland. Once the centre of the Scottish slate industry, there has been some recent island regeneration by the owners. This is the smallest of the Inner Hebrides' inhabited islands and is "home to traditional white-washed cottages, a small pub and disused slate quarries". One of the latter, filled with water, is used for swimming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luing</span>

Luing is one of the Slate Islands, Firth of Lorn, in the west of Argyll in Scotland, about 16 miles (26 km) south of Oban. The island has an area of 1,430 hectares and is bounded by several small skerries and islets. It has a population of around 200 people, mostly living in Cullipool, Toberonochy, and Blackmillbay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scarba</span>

Scarba is an island, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, just north of the much larger island of Jura. The island has not been permanently inhabited since the 1960s. Until his death in 2013 it was owned by Richard Hill, 7th Baron Sandys; its owner now is Shane Cadzow who farms Luing cattle on the nearby island of Luing and grazes some of the cattle on Scarba. Kilmory Lodge is used seasonally as a shooting lodge, the island having a flourishing herd of red deer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belnahua</span>

Belnahua is one of the Slate Islands, in the Firth of Lorn in Scotland, known for its deserted slate quarries. The bedrock that underpins its human history is part of the Scarba Conglomerate Formation and its value has been on record since the 16th century. Likely uninhabited before commercial quarrying commenced, under the control of the Stevenson family during the 19th century the population expanded to over 150 before the island was abandoned again in 1914.

Torsa is one of the Slate Islands in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Lying east of Luing and south of Seil, this tidal island was inhabited until the 1960s. There is now only one house there, which is used for holiday lets. The underlying bedrock is slate but unlike Torsa's immediate island neighbours this has never been worked commercially. The island's name is of Norse origin but the most prominent historical structure on the island is the ruined Caisteal nan Con on the northeast shore, once held by Clan Campbell. The abundant sea life in the waters surrounding the island are protected by the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura Marine Protected Area.

Lunga is one of the Slate Islands in the Firth of Lorn in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The "Grey Dog" tidal race, which runs in the sea channel to the south, reaches 8 knots (15 km/h) in full flood. The name "Lunga" is derived from the Old Norse for "isle of the longships', but almost all other place names are Gaelic in origin. The population was never substantial and today the main activity is an adventure centre on the northern headland of Rubha Fiola. The surrounding seas are fished for prawns and scallops and there is a salmon farm off the south eastern shores. The Special Area of Conservation of which the island is part hosts a growing number of outdoor leisure pursuits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insh Island</span>

Insh Island or simply Insh is an uninhabited island west of the island of Seil in the Firth of Lorn, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellenabeich</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Ellenabeich is a small village on the isle of Seil – an island on the east side of the Firth of Lorn, 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Oban, in Scotland. It is a former slate-mining village and is where parts of Ring of Bright Water were filmed. Seil is one of the Slate Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scarba, Lunga and the Garvellachs National Scenic Area</span>

Scarba, Lunga and the Garvellachs is the name of one of the 40 national scenic areas of Scotland. The designated area covers the islands of Scarba, Lunga, and the Garvellachs, all of which lie in the Firth of Lorn, along with much of the surrounding seascape. The national scenic areas are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection by restricting certain forms of development, and are considered to represent the type of scenic beauty "popularly associated with Scotland and for which it is renowned". The Scarba, Lunga and the Garvellachs NSA covers 6,542 ha in total, consisting of 2,139 ha of land with a further 4,402 ha being marine.

References

  1. 1 2 Davies, Jon (1999). Broad scale remote survey and mapping of the sublittoral habitats and their associated biota in the Firth of Lorn. Research, Survey and Monitoring Report 157. Scottish National Heritage.
  2. ↑ Read, H.H. (1948). The Grampian Highlands. British Regional Geology (2 ed.). London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO). Plate V, facing p. 40
  3. ↑ Gray, J.M. (1974). "The Main Rock Platform of the Firth of Lorn, Western Scotland". Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers. 61: 81–99.
  4. 1 2 Howe, John A.; Anderton, Roger; Arosio, Riccardo; Dove, Dayton; Bradwell, Tom; Crump, Philip; Cooper, Rhys; Cocuccio, Andre (2014). "The seabed geomorphology and geological structure of the Firth of Lorn, western Scotland, UK, as revealed by multibeam echo-sounder survey". Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 105 (4): 273–284. doi: 10.1017/S1755691015000146 .
  5. ↑ Lawrence, Martin (2008). The Isle of Mull and Adjacent Costs. The Yachtsman's Pilot (3 ed.). St. Ives, Cambridgeshire: Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson. pp. 15–18. ISBN   978-184623-081-3.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Firth of Lorn marine special area of conservation management plan (PDF). Scottish National Heritage. 2007.
  7. ↑ Boulcott, Philip; Millar, Colin P.; Fryer, Rob J. (2014). "Impact of scallop dredging on benthic epifauna in a mixed-substrate habitat". ICES Journal of Marine Science. 71 (4): 834–844. doi:10.1093/icesjms/fst197.
  8. ↑ Mason, Edward (2020). Kintyre to Ardnamurchan: Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions and Anchorages. Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson Ltd. pp. 114–1115. ISBN   9781786791672.
  9. ↑
    • Withall, Mary (2013), Easdale, Benbecula, Luing & Seil: The Islands that Roofed the World, Edinburgh: Luath Press, ISBN   978-1-908373-50-2
  10. ↑ "From Russia with Love (1963)" imdb.com. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
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