| Inverkeithing Bay | |
|---|---|
 Inverkeithing Bay, overlooking Inverkeithing. | |
| Location | Scotland Fife |
| Coordinates | 56°01′15″N3°22′46″W / 56.020716°N 3.379367°W |
| Type | Bay |
| Part of | The Firth of Forth |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Location | |
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Inverkeithing Bay is a bay on the north shore of the Firth of Forth in Scotland. Settlements on Inverkeithing Bay are North Queensferry, Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay.
Inverkeithing Bay extends from North Queensferry in the south to Dalgety Bay in the east. [1] The bay takes its name from Inverkeithing, southeast of the bay, which means "mouth of the river Keithing". [2]
The bay has three inlets. The first is Port Laing, a small bay with a sandy beach. [3] The second is Inner bay, the location of Inverkeithing harbour between East Ness and West Ness and the mouth of the River Keithing. [1] The third is St David's harbour, now home to an exclusive housing development. [4]
Inverkeithing Bay has long been a convenient sheltered crossing point of the Firth of Forth. A harbour in the bay, Inverkeithing Harbour, was first recorded in 1587. [5] Since there have been harbours added at the East Ness and West Ness, as well as St David's harbour. A harbour was added at Port Liang inlet around 1898. [3]
Between 1912 and 1914, a Royal Naval Air Station operated on the Port Liang inlet of Inverkeithing Bay. With three sheds, each containing a seaplane, this is said to be the first military air station in Scotland. [3]
In 2003 the Fife Coastal Path opened, allowing visitors to walk around Inverkeithing Bay as part of the long-distance footpath - one of Scotland's Great Trails. [6]
Inverkeithing Bay is designated a Ramsar Site, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protected Area. [7]
Inverkeithing Bay is home to common seals, which bask on the rocks close to shore. [4]
