Pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan - Regional Locational Guidance

This Regional Locational Guidance collates information from a wide variety of sources to assist the wind, wave and tidal energy developers in situating their developments.


8 GIS Sources

8.1.1 The following table provides information on the origins and spatial extent of the layers used in the RLG. Where available it provides the source for download of the spatial data used.

Layers used in all maps
Title Content Origins Owner Extent last updated Comments
North Coast and Orkney SMR Union of North Coast and Orkney Scottish Marine Regions Marine Scotland Marine Scotland PFOW area 2014 The consultation analysis on these boundaries can be downloaded at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/04/5576/0
12 NM Limit Delimitation of Scottish territorial waters (12 NM) Oceanwise Oceanwise Scottish waters 2014 Under license from Oceanwise more information on:http://www.oceanwise.eu/data/marine-themes/feature-catalogue/
Wave lease sites Wave lease sites The Crown Estate The Crown Estate Scottish waters 2014 Can be downloaded from http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/energy-and-infrastructure/downloads/maps-and-gis-data/
Tidal lease sites Tidal lease sites The Crown Estate The Crown Estate Scottish waters 2014 Can be downloaded from http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/energy-and-infrastructure/downloads/maps-and-gis-data/
Wind draft Plan Options Wind draft Plan Options from Marine Scotland's sectoral plan Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2014 Can be downloaded from http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/MSInteractive/Themes/msp
Wave draft Plan Options Wave draft Plan Options Marine Scotland's sectoral plan Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2014 Can be downloaded from http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/MSInteractive/Themes/msp
Tidal Draft Plan Options Tidal Draft Plan Options Marine Scotland's sectoral plan Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2014 Can be downloaded from http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/MSInteractive/Themes/msp
Basemap National Geographic Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ESRI World 2014 For more information please see: http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=b9b1b422198944fbbd5250b3241691b6
Layers used in specific maps
Title Content Origins Owner Extent last updated Comments
BGS marine sediment Sediment classification for the marine environment in Scottish waters British Geological Survey BGS BGS Scottish waters 2011 The layers extents are estimated . This data set comes bundled with the Oceanwise license.
Sand and Gravel resources of the UKCS Sediment resources in PFOW area The Crown Estate TCE Scottish waters 2014 Can be downloaded from http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/energy-and-infrastructure/downloads/maps-and-gis-data/
Predicted habitats EUNIS classified predicted habitats EMODNET EMODNET UK waters 2006 For more information please see http://www.emodnet.eu/
Seabed energy level Level of energy at sebed (low, medium, high) Taken from JNCC UKSeaMap JNCC JNCC UK waters 2010 More information can be obtained at http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/ukseamap
Geological conservation Review (GCR) GCR JNCC JNCC Scottish waters 2011 More information can be obtained at http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-2947
AIS Commercial Shipping density PFOW shipping density in PFOW area Anatec Marine Scotland PFOW 2013 Created specifically for Marine Scotland by Anatec and stakeholders
AIS Recreational Shipping density PFOW shipping density in PFOW area Anatec Marine Scotland PFOW 2013 Created specifically for Marine Scotland by Anatec and stakeholders
AIS Recreation shipping lanes PFOW shipping density in PFOW area Anatec Marine Scotland PFOW 2013 Created specifically for Marine Scotland by Anatec and stakeholders
RYA Sailing clubs RYA clubs in Scottish waters Royal Yachting Association (RYA) RYA Scottish waters 2013 Provided by the RYA
RYA Cruising routes RYA Cruising routes in Scottish waters RYA RYA Scottish waters 2013 Provided by the RYA
RYA Marinas with berths RYA Marinas with berths RYA RYA Scottish waters 2013 Provided by the RYA
RYA Sailing areas RYA Sailing areas in Scottish waters RYA RYA Scottish waters 2013 Provided by the RYA
Wind resource Wind speed in the PFOW area ABPMer ABPMer Scottish waters 2013 Can be downloaded from http://www.renewables-atlas.info/
Wave resource Wave power density in PFOW area ABPMer ABPMer PFOW 2013 Can be downloaded from http://www.renewables-atlas.info/
Tidal resource Mean spring peak flow in PFOW area ABPMer ABPMer PFOW 2013 Can be downloaded from http://www.renewables-atlas.info/
Layers used in specific maps
Title Content Origins Owner Extent last updated Comments
Coastal MOD locations Coastal MOD locations across Army, Navy, RAF and research Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2010 This dataset was created for the 2010 State of Scotland's Seas Atlas,The list of sites was compiled by The Scottish Government and validated by the MOD. The locations were digitised against OS 1:10k and OS Mastermap background mapping.
Ministry of Defence Practice Zones with risk level Areas of MOD practice with relative level of risk provided Oceanwise Oceanwise UK waters 2010 Created in collaboration between TCE and MOD
Offshore power cables KIS-ORCA Offshore Power Cables KIS-ORCA KIS-ORCA UK waters 2014 See website for downloads http://www.kis-orca.eu/
Offshore telecom cables KIS-ORCA Offshore Telecom Cables KIS-ORCA KIS-ORCA UK waters 2014 See website for downloads http://www.kis-orca.eu/
Electrical substations Location of electrical substations in Scotland National Grid National Grid Scotland 2011 Georeferenced originally from the 7 year statement system map (2011) by National Grid. Updated version can be seen at http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Industry-information/Future-of-Energy/Electricity-Ten-Year-Statement/
Distance from electrical substations Distance buffers from electrical substations in Scotland Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scotland 2011 Calculated using multiple buffer tool in ArcMap 10.0
Ferry Routes 2012 Indicative ferry routes in Scottish waters Transport Scotland Transport Scotland Scotland 2012 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/seamanagement/nmpihome/Productive/ferry
Traffic Separation Schemes and Deep Water Routes Maritime traffic routes as established by the International Maritime Organization Oceanwise Oceanwise UK waters 2014 Official areas created by the IMO
Finfish farms Sites of active finfish farms Marine Scotland, Aquadat database Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2014 Information available at http://aquaculture.scotland.gov.uk/
Shellfish farms Sites of active shellfish farms Marine Scotland, Aquadat database Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2014 Information available at http://aquaculture.scotland.gov.uk/
Surfing Beaches Sites of surfing beaches Magicseaweed.com Magicseaweed.com Scottish waters 2014 Updated October 2014
World Heritage Site Locations of world Heritage sites as designated by UNESCO Historic Scotland Historic Scotland Scotland 2014 Data can be downloaded at: http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/natural-spaces/
Blue Flag Beaches Beaches that have been declared safe to bathe at Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2013 Based on data from Keep Scotland Beautiful. Full agreement for use of this data was obtained.
Dive Sites Popular diving destinations in Scottish waters divesitedirectory.co.uk None UK waters 2013 Based on data from divesitedirectory.co.uk. Full permission for use given.
Windsurfing beaches Locations of popular windsurfing beaches http://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/activities/windsurfing http://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/activities/windsurfing Scottish waters 2013 ABPmer digitised the locations of windsurfing beaches in Scotland based on information contained in the Windsurfing Beach Guide available online at http://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/activities/windsurfing
Scheduled ancient monuments Sheduled ancient monuments around the PFOW Historic Scotland Historic Scotland Scotland 2014  
Potential submerged archaeology Areas where there is potential to find buried archaeological remains Marine Scotland with ABPMer Marine Scotland UK waters 2011 Layer created combining potential for archaeological remains from ABP MER Waterland project and seabed sediments (BGS) of higher likelihood of preservation
Wrecks Wreck of vessels around the PFOW area Oceanwise Oceanwise UK waters 2014 Available from Oceanwise under license
Sea angling Number of day sea angling per region as per 2009 report available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/07/31154700/32 Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2009 Available for viewing at: http://marinescotland.atkinsgeospatial.com/nmpi/
National Scenic areas (NSA) National Scenic areas (NSA) SNH SNH Scotland 2014 For more information please see: http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/national-designations/nsa/special-qualities/
Local Nature reserves (LNR) Local Nature reserves (LNR) SNH SNH Scotland 2014 For more information please see: http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/local-designations/lnr/
Areas of great landscape value (AOGL) Areas of great landscape value (AOGL) SNH SNH Scotland 2014 For more information please see: http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/local-designations/special-landscape-area/
Landscape Character assesment Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) identifies areas with a distinct composition of inter-related natural, physical, cultural and historical characteristics. SNH SNH Scotland 2014 Can be downloaded from https://gateway.snh.gov.uk/natural-spaces/index.jsp
Layers used in specific maps
Title Content Origins Owner Extent last updated Comments
Scotmap: absolute monetary value Absolute earnings from vessels participating in the Scotmap project Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters (excluding Shetland) 2013 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/MSInteractive/Themes/ScotMap
Scotmap: relative monetary value Relative earnings from vessels participating in the Scotmap project Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters (excluding Shetland) 2013 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/MSInteractive/Themes/ScotMap
Scotmap: number of vessels Number of vessels as recorded by the Scotmap project Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters (excluding Shetland) 2013 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/MSInteractive/Themes/ScotMap
Scotmap: number of crew Number of crew working as recorded by the Scotmap project Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters (excluding Shetland) 2013 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/MSInteractive/Themes/ScotMap
VMS fishing intensity (All species/gears) Six target species/gears that show notable activity around the PFOW area. Derived from VMS data. Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2014 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/MSInteractive
Static fishing stake Inshore static fishing facility . Oceanwise Oceanwise UK waters 2014 Available from Oceanwise under license
Rivers Rivers in PFOW area with Salmon riviers showing thicker lines Ordnance Survey (OS) OS UK 2014 Available for download at: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/business-and-government/products/opendata-products-grid.html
Seabird vulnerability indices (Breeding/Winter-Wind/Wave/Tidal) Seabird vulnerabilities based upon device type and species behaviour Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2012 Information on the creation of the indices is available from Furness et al. (2012)
Seal distribution (Harbour and Grey seals) Density of seal numbers for Harbour and Grey seals Marine Scotland (as a commission to the Sea Mammal Research Unit at St Andrews) Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2014 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/MSInteractive/Themes/usage
Seal Potential Biological Removal (PBR) Amount of Harbour and Grey seals that can be safely removed from the population Marine Scotland (as a commission to the Sea Mammal Research Unit at St Andrews) Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2014 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/science/MSInteractive/Themes/usage
Seal Haul outs Areas where Harbour and Grey seals are known to haul out for breeding, moulting or pupping. Marine Scotland (in collaboration with the Sea Mammal Research Unit at St Andrews) Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2014 More information can be obtained at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-environment/species/19887/20814/haulouts
Cetacean encounters Distribution of cetacean encounters in the PFOW area using cetacean atlas data JNCC JNCC Scotland 2011 The cetacean atlas can be downloaded at http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-2713
Basking sharks Location and quantity of basking shark sighthings Marine Conservation Society, Wildlife Trust, Shark Trust Scottish Natural Heritage Scottish waters 2009?  
Bathymetry Rasterised bathymetry of Scottish waters UKHO, Oceanwise Oceanwise Scottish waters 2014 Under license from Oceanwise more information on:http://www.oceanwise.eu/data/marine-themes-dem/
Bathymetry contours Depth countour lines of Scottish waters UKHO, Oceanwise Oceanwise Scottish waters 2014 Under license from Oceanwise more information on:http://www.oceanwise.eu/data/marine-themes/feature-catalogue/
Hydrocarbon pipelines Submerged oil and gas pipelines in Scottish waters Uk Oil and Gas Uk Oil and Gas UK waters 2014 See http://www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/ for more information
Oil and gas coastal installations Types of Oil and Gas onshore installation Uk Oil and Gas Uk Oil and Gas UK waters 2014 See http://www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/ for more information
Oil and gas surface installations Types of Oil and Gas above water installation Uk Oil and Gas Uk Oil and Gas UK waters 2014 See http://www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/ for more information
27nd Offer 27nd Offer for Oil and Gas developments Uk Oil and Gas Uk Oil and Gas UK waters 2014 See http://www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/ for more information
Oil and Gas licence grid Oil and Gas licence grid Uk Oil and Gas Uk Oil and Gas UK waters 2014 See http://www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/ for more information
Wells Oil and gas extraction wells Uk Oil and Gas Uk Oil and Gas UK waters 2014 See http://www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/ for more information
Layers used in specific maps
Comments Comments Comments Comments Comments Comments Comments
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) SSSI SNH SNH Scotland 2014 Data can be downloaded at: http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/natural-spaces/
Non-statutory designated areas These include Local Nature Reserves and Marine Consultation Areas in the PFOW area SNH SNH Scotland 2014 Data can be downloaded at: http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/natural-spaces/
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) SAC in the PFOW area JNCC/SNH JNCC/SNH Scotland 2014 GIS shapefiles can be downloaded from: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/SACselection/gis_data/terms_conditions.asp
Special Protected Areas (SPA) SPA in the PFOW area JNCC/SNH JNCC/SNH Scotland 2014 GIS shapefiles can be downloaded from: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/SACselection/gis_data/terms_conditions.asp
RAMSAR sites RAMSAR in the PFOW area JNCC/SNH JNCC/SNH Scotland 2011 GIS shapefiles can be downloaded from: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/SACselection/gis_data/terms_conditions.asp
Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Scottish MPA Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2014 Further information can be obtained from: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork
Offshore SAC Offshore SAC JNCC/SNH JNCC/SNH Scottish waters 2012 GIS shapefiles can be downloaded from: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/SACselection/gis_data/terms_conditions.asp
Potential offshore SPA Areas that may become offshore SPA Marine Scotland Marine Scotland Scottish waters 2014 Further information can be obtained at: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-4184
Low flying zones Areas where low flying occurs Royal air Force (RAF) RAF Scotland 2011 For more information see: https://www.gov.uk/military-low-flying
Civil aviation buffer zones Potential areas of overlap with civil aviation radar Civil aviation Authority (CAA) CAA Scotland 2011 find link
Self assessment maps Maps of suggested airport radar interference at various heights NATS NATS UK 2014 Can be downloaded from http://www.nats.aero/services/information/wind-farms/self-assessment-maps/

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