Scotland's environment web

Water

Scotland’s water is essential for our health and prosperity. As well as being used for drinking, water is used in industry, producing energy, and for recreational activities. Our water also supports an array of habitats and contains species of national and international importance.

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Stirling bridge Find out more
Scotland’s freshwater

Scotland’s freshwaters are essential for our health and prosperity. As well as being used for drinking, water is used by industry (e.g. distilling whisky and supporting fisheries), for producing energy (hydropower), and for recreational activities such as bird-watching, angling and water sports. We also use water to dispose of our waste, through public and private wastewater systems.
Scotland's seas Find out more
Scotland’s seas

Scotland has around 18,000 km of coastline (when measured at 1:10,000 scale). The area from the coast to our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) limits (462,263km2) is around six times the size of the land area of Scotland.