Dornoch Firth
The Dornoch Firth (Scottish Gaelic: Caolas Dhòrnaich, pronounced [kɯːl̪ˠəs̪ ɣɔːrˠn̪ˠɪç]) is a firth on the east coast of Highland, in northern Scotland.[1][2] It forms part of the boundary between Ross and Cromarty, to the south, and Sutherland, to the north.
Together with Loch Fleet it is a designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for wildlife conservation purposes. Additionally, together with Morrich More, it has the designation of Special Area of Conservation.
The total SPA hosts significant populations of the following birds:
- Breeding season: osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
- Overwintering: bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica), greylag goose (Anser anser), wigeon (Anas penelope), curlew (Numenius arquata), dunlin (Calidris alpina alpina), oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) and teal (Anas crecca).
Dornoch Bridge
In 1991, the firth was bridged, the new Dornoch Firth Bridge providing a shorter route on the A9 road between Inverness and Thurso; until then traffic had to go by way of Bonar Bridge at the head of the inlet.
On 16 August 1809 the firth was the scene of the Meikle Ferry disaster when an over-laden ferryboat sank with the loss of 99 lives.
References
- ↑ Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 21 Dornoch & Alness (Invergordon & Tain) (Map). Ordnance Survey. 2014. ISBN 9780319231098.
- ↑ "Ordnance Survey: 1:50,000 Scale Gazetteer" (csv (download)). www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk. Ordnance Survey. 1 January 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
External links
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Coordinates: 57°51′N 4°03′W / 57.850°N 4.050°W