Moray Firth

Moray Firth, inlet of the North Sea, north-eastern Scotland. In its broadest sense, the term refers to the bay, which is 120 km (75 mi) wide, that lies between Duncansby Head, in the extreme north-eastern part of the country, and Kinnairds Head. In the more limited sense, Moray Firth refers to the inlet (34 km/21 mi wide) between Tarbat Ness on the north and the town of Lossiemouth and Branderburgh on the south. The larger bay also includes the Dornoch Firth, the broad outlet of the River Shin; the smaller inlet includes the Cromarty Firth which is respectively to the north, while Beauly Firth and the Firth of Inverness are to the south, of the peninsula known as Black Isle. The Moray Firth lies at the north-eastern end of the geological fault known as the Great Glen. The area is well known for its marine life, notably for the presence of bottle-nosed dolphins, common porpoises, and also, less frequently, minke whales.