Coastscape of North West Highlands
DD
Dynamic Coast Shorelines
Introduction
Prediction of the coast shorelines in 2050
Coastal land and coastscape are the integrative places between the sea and the land, they exist solidified zones of fluid transition formed by intense and powerful dynamics. The coasts continue to be constructed by the process of society and environment interaction, in the north west coast of the Scotland’s highlands, the process of the coastal changes was also strongly associated with the human habitation such as cultural relation and the socioeconomic developments over hundred years.
Boulders
Accretion
Erosion Erosion Influence Erosion Vicinity Drift Direction
Geodha Brat
There are approximately 10000 km of coast including all 790 islands in Scotland, which covers 69% of the total coastline in the UK. North west coast of highlands was and continue shaping both by the nature and human, due to the erosion and accretion from the flow of the ocean and human constructions.
Shingle
Balnakeil Bay
The context of the following maps is according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), it shows the water condition of the river catchment on the west coast. The SEPA identified the water quality by the access for fish migration, water flows and levels and physical condition. The highlighted conservation areas both coved the ocean and interior. The improvement activities will operate between 2021 and 2027.
Port Chaligaig Pier Lochlash Pier Loch Bervie Pier
Balnakeil Bay is located in the north-west of Durness, there are a long sandy beach and an extensive land of sand dunes covered by marram grass. The area is uninhabited by human, because the sand dunes covered most of the land in Balnakeil, the land condition is hard to graze, farm as well as construct houses.
Sango Bay Sand
Durness
Legend Port of Tarbet Current coastline
Handa Island Ferry Terminal
North Coast 500
Rock
Loch a' Chruaidlinn Condition of Water
Sangobeg Sands
High Good
Kyle of Durness is an inlet between Achiemore and Balnakeil, its mouth opens into Balnakeil Bay. The Kyle is about 0.5 miles wide, however, due to the tides, there is only a narrow path of water remaining at low tide along most of its length. Kyle of Durness is one of the area of Special Landscape Area, which contains lots of archaeological remains from the prehistoric period.
Moderate Poor Bad
Manufactured Coast
Traigh na h-UamhagTraigh Kyle of Durness
Traigh Allt Chailgeag
© Crown copyright and database rights 2019 Ordnance Survey (100025252). FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY.
Plan Scale 1:20000
Ferry pier, Landing Stage
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
Scale 1:20000 0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2 km
Projection: British National Grid
Condition of Water
Jetty
Fishing Industry A map of British Isles Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and surrounding nations. Internal UK borders are illustrated by thin lines. The highlighted area is Scotland's EEZ.
Slipway Fishing Harbour
Wildlife Conservation Areas
Kinlochbervie
Lochinver Pier
Bodies of protected areas subject to pressures affecting their overall condition
During 1970s and 1980s, Kinlochbervie, Lochinver and Gairloch continued to be a significant fishing port because of their proximity to the North West Fishing Grounds. The fishing industry of Kinlochbervie and Lochinver continue operating today.
Lochinver
Protected areas
Dynamic Coast Shorelines Prediction of the coast shorelines in 2050
Gairloch
Accretion
What pressure are responsible? What activity is responsible? Loch Shin River Shin Catchment Barrier to fish migration Hydroelectricity generation
Erosion Vicinity
Plan Scale 1:150000 0
2
4
6
Scale 1:150000 8 10 12
Polbain Landing Stage& Mooring Post Oct 30, 2019 18:03 14
16
18
20 km
Jamie Tam University of Edinburgh
2014
2021
2027
Overall
Poor
Poor
Moderate
Moderate
Access for fish migration
Poor
Good
Good
Good
Water flows and levels
Good
Good
Good
Good
Physical condition
Good
Good
Good
Good
Projection: British National Grid
Manufactured Harbour - Lochinver Pier
Long Term
Loch Fada Minch Coastal Catchment What pressure are responsible?
Barrier to fish migration
Poll a' Chreadhe Pier
What activity is responsible?
Crossing of watercourse
Ullapool Ferry Terminal Aird Pier
2014
2021
2027
Long Term
Overall
Poor
Good
Good
Good
Access for fish migration
Poor
Good
Good
Good
Water flows and levels
High
High
High
High
Physical condition
High
High
High
High
Manufactured Harbour - Gairloch Pier
Key Sources of Water Pressure Aird an Tuirc Pier
Lochinver harbour is one of the largest fishing port in Scotland, where encourages the European fishermen to come and buy fish. The major development of Lochinver underwent in the 1990s where the facilities of its harbor were reconstructed such as improving the loading area and increasing the number of landing stage.
The water condition of the highlands river basin district is affecting by an abundance of significant issue. The pressure was classed as two types: diffuse source and point source pollution, these pollutions are created by human activities.
Agriculture
Forestry
West Pier
Urban development
Sea and coastal water transport
Gairloch Pier
Collection and treatment of sewage
Aquaculture
Manufacturing shores and rivers
Refuse disposal
Gairloch harbor located by Charlestown, which is a small village in north west highlands. The shape of the coast provides a safe shore of the boat, so the folk developed the fishing industry in Gairloch. The number of fishing boats has been declined over last 10 years. A few fishermen still work regularly for their living, however, lots of them changed to develop catering and boat club for tourism and visitor activities.