Estuaries
An estuary is a partially enclosed area of water where sedimentation leads to the development of soft tidal shores open to the marine environment and receiving fresh water from the land. Coastal indentation and juxtaposition of surrounding mountains make the landscapes of some estuaries particularly significant in Scotland.
Scottish estuaries range from small pristine sites with little human activity to highly industrialised areas such as the Clyde and the Forth which have in recent centuries received very damaging discharges of industrial and domestic effluent. However, the rich, diverse wildlife and landscape interest of estuaries, often close to urban areas, offers special opportunities for environmental education and interpretation for all in the community.