Firth of Clyde
From Freepedia
The Firth of Clyde is the estuary of the River Clyde, from its upper tidal limit in Glasgow city centre to the outer firth in Argyll and Ayrshire, Scotland.
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Geography
The firth encompasses many islands and peninsulas and has twelve ferry routes connecting them to the mainland and each other. The majority of these services are run by Caledonian MacBrayne and many of the routes are lifeline services for communities living in remote areas. A number of sea lochs adjoin the firth.
Towns and villages along the shoreline
- Ardrossan, Ayr
- Brodick
- Cardross, Clydebank
- Dumbarton, Dunoon
- Fairlie, Faslane Port
- Garelochhead, Glasgow, Gourock, Greenock
- Helensburgh
- Innellan, Irvine
- Kilcreggan
- Largs
- Port Bannatyne, Port Glasgow, Prestwick
- Renfrew, Rhu, Rothesay
- Saltcoats, Skelmorlie
- Troon
- Wemyss Bay, West Kilbride
Islands in the Clyde
There are many islands in the firth. The largest all have thriving communities and regular ferry services connecting them to the mainland. They are:
There are many other inhabited and unihabited islands in the firth. See the Islands of the lower Firth of Clyde for a more comprehesive list and links.
History
In Victorian times with the advent of tourism the area became popular with well heeled Glaswegians who travelled 'doon the watter' on pleasure steamers to holiday in the picturesque seaside towns that line the firth. Many of these towns such as Largs, Dunoon and Rothesay flourished during this boom period and became fully fledged resorts with well appointed hotels and attractions.
In 1942 the World's first deep water test of a submarine oil pipeline was conducted on a pipeline laid across the Firth of Clyde in Operation Pluto.
In more recent times the firth has sadly had much of its natural beauty diminished by a succesion of industrial and military developments along the shoreline.
Marine wildlife
Common & Grey Seals abound in the firth.
Harbour Porpoises are also common and while Dolphins are much less so they have been spotted in the upper reaches of the firth in the summer of 2005. Whales do not favour the Clyde and although there have been instances of larger whales beaching themselves or becoming stranded in the upper firth, only smaller Pilot or Minke Whales seem to visit with any kind of regularity.
In 2005 the firth was listed as having the 2nd highest incidence of basking shark sightings in Scotland (after the Hebridean Sea). In particular these huge sharks seem to favour the warm, shallow waters surrounding Pladda.
Although at one time heavily fished, the only animals remaining in Clyde waters today that are of any commercial interest to fisherman are Prawns, Lobster and a little Herring.
There is a Marine Biological Station run by the Universities of Glasgow and London on Great Cumbrae.
Shipping in the Firth
The Firth of Clyde like the River Clyde has historically been an important centre of shipbuilding. There have been shipyards at Renfrew, Greenock, Port Glasgow and Troon and a highly regarded boatyard at Fairlie.
Ships are still seen in the firth today many visiting the deep sea cargo terminal, Clydeport.
There are lighthouses at:
