Islands of the Forth

The Islands of the Forth are islands in the Firth of Forth on Scotland’s east coast, including Inchcolm, Inchkeith, and the Isle of May.

Connect

Inchcolm: An island in the Firth of Forth known for its medieval abbey and wartime defenses. Its abbey and fortifications make it one of the best-known islands in the group.
Inchcolm Abbey: A medieval Augustinian abbey on Inchcolm in the Firth of Forth. It preserves the islands’ best-known monastic heritage.
Firth of Forth: A large estuary on Scotland’s east coast where the River Forth meets the North Sea. The islands are distributed within this estuary and its seaward approaches.
Edinburgh: The capital city of Scotland, situated on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. The city is the nearest major urban center to several islands.
Inchkeith: An island in the Firth of Forth with a long history of military, quarantine, and lighthouse use. Its strategic position shaped centuries of military and public-health use.
Forth Bridge: A railway bridge across the Firth of Forth in eastern Scotland, completed in 1890. The bridge marks a major crossing near the islands and reshaped travel across the estuary.
Volcanic island: An island formed through volcanic activity, including the accumulation of lava or volcanic rock. Several prominent Forth islands have volcanic origins.
Fife: A council area and historic county on Scotland’s east coast, north of the Firth of Forth. The northern shore and nearby islands are closely associated with Fife.
Isle of May: An island nature reserve at the mouth of the Firth of Forth, known for seabirds and seals. It is the group’s most prominent wildlife destination.
Forth Islands Special Protection Area: A protected area in the Firth of Forth designated for internationally important bird populations. It links several islands through shared seabird conservation.