Scotland’s marine environment is vast, making up approximately 60% of the UK’s seas. It is home to an astonishing range of marine plants and animals, and hosts a range of human activities, such as fishing, aquaculture, oil and gas, and marine tourism. All of this contributes to Scotland’s identity as a maritime nation.

With such a range of interests and activities taking place in Scotland’s seas, it can be challenging to keep up-to-date with them all and often overwhelming when trying to understand how they can all exist together. One of the most effective ways to simplify the complexities of marine planning and management, and break down the silos between different sectors, is visually through mapping.

The Trust’s new Living Seas map is an online, interactive map that enables members of the public to explore Scotland’s seas in a clear and easy to use way.

You can use to it learn more about Scotland’s network of Marine Protected Areas, see how many oil and gas platforms are in the North Sea, locate salmon farms, and also find out the some of the best places to go to see seabirds, marine mammals or have a go at snorkelling.

The aim of the map is to bring a broad range of information together in a single place and make it easier for members of the public to learn about marine management, both through using the map itself and through the links embedded in the map.

The Living Seas map is an evolving project that will be updated and added to over time to create a more comprehensive learning tool and to ensure the most up-to-date information is presented. Please use this tool and explore further through the links provided. And if you have any feedback please get in touch.

Dr Sam Collin, Marine Planning Officer

The Trust’s interactive Living Seas map was produced with kind support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.