Chapter 2: Physical Characteristics

Tidal range is generally between 4 and 5 m; highest tidal ranges are found in the inner Solway Firth where the mean spring tidal range can be between 7 and 8 m. Tidal range is at a minimum in areas known as amphidromic points. One of these points occurs in Scottish waters between Islay and the Mull of Kintrye; another amphidromic point can be found in the north east of the North Sea. Tidal range decreases with distance offshore from the North East coast.

Data source for NMPi Mean Spring Tidal Range layer: Atlas of UK Marine Renewable Energy Resources (see https://www.renewables-atlas.info/)

Sea surface waves are mainly caused by the effects of wind on the surface of the sea. Their height is predominantly determined by the fetch (i.e. distance wind has blown over) and length of time of the wind forcing. Some local modification of wave height can be caused by tides. The seabed also influences waves in shallow water as waves will become steeper and higher as they approach the shore. Wave power is the quantification of the power transmitted by a wave moving across the sea surface. In general, larger waves are more powerful but wave power is also determined by wave speed, wavelength, and water density. Within Scottish waters, the wave climate is mainly influenced by conditions in the North Atlantic ocean, where the fetch is long enough to establish large, regular waves known as swell. The north and west of Scotland (Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland) are most exposed to these conditions. On the east coast of Scotland, conditions in autumn and winter may also be rough in the North Sea because the wind direction can lead to a large fetch. Moreover, the Moray Firth is also relatively exposed because of its shoaling bathymetry and exposure to the North Sea.

Data source: Atlas of UK Marine Renewable Energy Resources (see https://www.renewables-atlas.info/)

Annual Mean Significant Wave Height - The average height of the highest 1/3 of waves. The wave height is greatest in the Atlantic, moderate in the North Sea and least in the immediate coastal zone where the values are generally <1.2m.

Data source: Atlas of UK Marine Renewable Energy Resources (see https://www.renewables-atlas.info/)

The UK National Tide Gauge Network records tidal elevations at 44 locations around the UK of which 11 are currently operating in Scotland. 

The UK National Tide Gauge Network is owned by the Environment Agency, but is operated on their behalf by the Tide Gauge Inspectorate, which is based at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) in Liverpool. The tide gauge locations can be gleaned from The National Tidal and Sea Level Facility (see http://www.ntslf.org/data/uk-network-real-time) where each gauge has a dedicated webpage containing location photos; a link to gauge location plotted on Google maps; latitude/longitude and OS grid ref. The UK National Tide Gauge Network also appears on the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level website (see http://www.psmsl.org/data/obtaining/map.html) which is also based at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC).