Solway Firth

Solway Firth, inlet of the Irish Sea, separating northwestern England from southern Scotland. It is 64 km (40 mi) long and 35 km (22 mi) at its widest. The principal rivers flowing into it are the Esk, Annan, Nith, Dee, and Urr Water, from the northern or Scottish side, and the Eden and Derwent, from the southern or English side. The main ports are Kirkcudbright, in Scotland, and Silloth, Maryport, and Whitehaven, in England. A striking feature of this inlet is the great rapidity of its tides. They cause tidal floods, called bores, that occur regularly with a roaring noise. Solway Firth has valuable salmon fisheries.