Present and future sea levels

Although central Scotland has been rebounding since the last Scottish ice sheet started to melt 20000 years ago, the uplift rates are now modest (around 0.6 mm per year max). When this vertical land movement is compared to the more rapid rate that coastal waters around the UK are rising (up to 2mm per year), all of Scotland is now experiencing net sea-level rise.

UKCP09 - Climate Projections

On behalf of the UK Government, a range of scenarios have been published, estimating a range of expected increases in sea level (UKCP09). You can use the 'User Interface' to generate climate projections or sea-level rise (or other climate variables) for your area of Scotland.

Scottish Natural Heritage is undertaking various research projects into coastal climate change, many which consider relative sea-level rise and its impacts. We'll update these web pages with key results as they become available.

Relative sea level rise projection for Aberdeen (high emissions scenario).  

Relative sea level rise for Scottish ports (high emissions scenario  

Relative sea level rise for Scottish ports (high emissions scenario