The Firth of Forth from Calton Hill, Edinburgh

Taken from the top of Calton Hill, Edinburgh

Geologically, the Firth of Forth is a fjord, formed by the Forth Glacier in the last glacial period.

The firth is important for nature conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Firth of Forth Islands SPA (Special Protection Area) is host to over 90,000 breeding seabirds every year. There is a bird observatory on the Isle of May.

In 2008, a controversial bid to allow oil transfer between ships in the firth was refused by Forth Ports. A company named SPT Marine Services had asked permission to transfer 7.8 million tonnes of crude oil per year between tankers. The proposals had met with determined opposition from conservation groups.