Inverkeithing Bay
| Inverkeithing Bay | |
|---|---|
 Inverkeithing Bay, overlooking Inverkeithing. | |
Interactive map of Inverkeithing Bay | |
| Location | Scotland Fife |
| Coordinates | 56°01′15″N 3°22′46″W / 56.020716°N 3.379367°W |
| Type | Bay |
| Part of | The Firth of Forth |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
Inverkeithing Bay is a bay on the north shore of the Firth of Forth in Scotland. Settlements on Inverkeithing Bay are North Queensferry, Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay.
Geography
Inverkeithing Bay extends from North Queensferry in the south to Dalgety Bay in the east.[1] The bay takes its name from Inverkeithing, southeast of the bay, which means "mouth of the river Keithing".[2]
The bay has three main inlets:
- Port Laing, a small bay with a sandy beach.[3]
- Inner bay, the location of Inverkeithing harbour between East Ness and West Ness and the mouth of the Keithing Burn.[1]
- St David's harbour, now home to an exclusive housing development.[4]
History
Inverkeithing Bay has long been a convenient sheltered crossing point of the Firth of Forth. A harbour in the bay, Inverkeithing Harbour, was first recorded in 1587.[5] Since there have been harbours added at the East Ness and West Ness, as well as St David's harbour.
Royal Navy ships sheltered during winter storms in Inverkeithing Bay during the Georgian era, and Mediterranean vessels were quarantined here. A lazaretto was established on the west side of Inverkeithing bay at the beginning of the 19th century.[6]
A harbour was added at Port Liang inlet around 1898.[3] Beginning in 1912, a Royal Naval Air Station operated on the Port Laing inlet of Inverkeithing Bay. With sheds containing seaplanes, this is said to be the first military air station in Scotland.[3]
In 2003 the Fife Coastal Path opened, allowing visitors to walk around Inverkeithing Bay as part of the long-distance footpath - one of Scotland's Great Trails.[7]
Wildlife
Inverkeithing Bay is designated a Ramsar Site, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protected Area.[8]
Inverkeithing Bay is home to common seals, which bask on the rocks close to shore.[4]
Photographs
Inverkeithing Bay at sunset, with the Forth Bridge in background
Inverkeithing Bay beach, between Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay
Inverkeithing Bay as drawn by Samuel Alken, March 1802.
Inverkeithing Inner Bay, as viewed from Inverkeithing Friary gardens.
References
- 1 2 "Inverkeithing Bay from The Gazetteer for Scotland". Retrieved 2025-09-24.
- ↑ Watson, W. J. (1910). "Topographical Varia: III". The Celtic Review. 6 (23): 236. doi:10.2307/30070022. ISSN 1755-6066.
- 1 2 3 "Port Laing from The Gazetteer for Scotland". The Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
- 1 2 "St David's Harbour". Fife Coast & Countryside Trust. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
- ↑ "Inverkeithing Harbour". Historic Environment Scotland. 24 September 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
- ↑ Johnson, Rev. J. (1981). Inverkeithing past and present (1st ed.). Dunfermline: West Fife Educational Trust.
- ↑ Taplin, Phoebe (2019-05-27). "Fife Coastal Path: a car-free tour along Scotland's shoreline". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
- ↑ "Inverkeithing Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan" (PDF). Fife Historic Buildings Trust. February 2019. Retrieved 2025-09-24.