Tay Estuary
The River Tay Estuary
The Tay is the longest river in Scotland and drains much of the southern Highlands, its source being high on the slopes of Ben Lui. The source is only c. 20 miles (c. 32 km) from the west-coast town of Oban, in Argyll and Bute. The waters flow through Perth and Kinross to the Firth of Tay and the North Sea, some 120 miles (193 km) to the east.
The river has a variety of names in the upper catchment: for the first few miles the river is known as the River Connonish; then it is called the River Fillan, and then the name changes again to the River Dochart until it flows into Loch Tay at Killin.
The River Tay emerges from Loch Tay at Kenmore, and flows from there to Perth which, in historical times, was the lowest bridging point of the river. Below Perth the river becomes tidal and enters the Firth of Tay. The largest city on the river, Dundee, lies on the north band of the Firth.
The river Tay has many facets and is of interest to many groups of people including wildlife watchers and photographers - both for its landscape and for the varied wildlife.
For more information on the Tay estuary we suggest you visit the Tay Estuary Homepage