Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide

The Continental Divides of Europe, with the Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide in red

The Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide originates from the triple point between the Atlantic, North Sea and Mediterranean at Mount Piémont (456 m), where it joins the main European Watershed. The Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide proceeds from this point in a northwesterly direction near the northern border of France until it reaches the English Channel. From the vicinity of Dover, the Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide bisects Great Britain through England and Scotland until it reaches the northern tip of Scotland. The highest point along the divide is Ben Alder (1148 m) in the Scottish Highlands.

Course through European Mainland

France and Belgium

Topographical map of the triple point between Atlantic, North Sea and Mediterranean

Main drainage basins in France. Drainage basins leading to the Mediterranean are marked in red, basins leading to the Atlantic are marked in blue and basins leading to the North Sea are marked in green

The Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide originates at the triple point between the Atlantic, North Sea and Mediterranean near Mount Piémont (456 m) between the villages of Bonnecourt, Poiseul and Andilly-en-Bassigny, where it joins the Main European Watershed. The triple point separates the Seine (Atlantic), Meuse (North Sea) and Saône (Mediterranean) drainage basins. The divide proceeds northwesterly along the plateau separating the Seine and Meuse. It continues through the villages of Badonvilliers-Gérauvilliers, Montfaucon-d’Argonne, Harricourt, Belleville-sur-Bar, where it runs above the Réservoir de Bairon. It crosses the border into Belgium at the village of Rièzes, where it encircles the source of the Oise (Atlantic). The divide crosses again into France near the village of Momignies and the city of Fourmies. It proceeds through the city of Fresnoy-le-Grand, where it separates the source of the Somme (Atlantic) in the village of Fonsomme from the source of the Escaut (North Sea) in the village of Gouy by approximately 20 km. The divide splits the villages of Achiet-le-Grand from Achiet-le-Petit. The Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide ends on the European Mainland at the English Channel to the west of Calais.

Course through Great Britain

England

The Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide continues its course after the English Channel from Dover heading in an easterly direction through the High Weald AONB. The divide runs through the southern edge of Crowborough, separates the cities of Crawley and Horsham at the Faygate Station and bisects the city of Haslemere. It then runs through the North Wessex Downs AONB, where it makes a northern turn on the western edge of the area.

Travelling northward, the divide continues through the Cotswolds AONB, making its way to Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent until passing through the Peak District National Park. It runs over the main ridgeline in the park, including the peaks Kinder Low (633 m), Kinder Scout (636 m), Featherbed Top (544 m), Bleaklow Head (633 m), Bleaklow Stones (630 m) and Black Hill (582 m). From there, the divide runs north through the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where it traverses the peaks of Rye Loaf Hill (547 m), Black Hill (468 m), Fountains Fell (668 m), Pen-y-ghent (694 m), Plover Hill (680 m), Dodd Fell Hill (668 m), High Seat (709 m), Nine Standards Rigg (662 m). It then proceeds through the North Pennines AONB and Moorhouse National Nature Reserve over the Cross Fell (893 m). It runs through the southern end of Northumberland National Park. The divide reaches the border between England and Scotland at Larriston Fells (512 m), following the border until Knock's Knowe.

Scotland

In Scotland, the Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide proceeds northerly through the Eskdalemuir Forest. It then runs over the peaks Hart Fell (808 m) and Cutter Fell (747 m). It crosses the highway M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh near the Blairmains exit and then through the city of Cumbernauld. It enters the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park at Moor Park, proceeding along the ridgeline east of Loch Lomond, where it runs over the peak Ben Lomond (974 m), then separates Loch Arklet from Loch Katrine. It continues through the park over Maol Mor (685 m), Beinn a' Choin (770 m), Parlan Hill (662 m), Beinn Chabhair (933 m), Beinn a' Chroin (942 m), Stob Glas (832 m), Cruach Ardrain (1046 m), Grey Height (685 m), Kirk Craig (381 m),  Craw Knowe (464 m), Beinn Dubhchraig (978 m), Ben Oss (1029 m), Ben Lui (1130 m), Beinn Chuirn (880 m), Beinn Bheag (653 m), Beinn Odhar (901 m), Beinn Chaorach (818 m) and Cam Chreag (884 m). From there the divide continues through Rannoch Moor. It separates Loch Laggan from Loch Ericht along the ridge with the peaks Sgor Gaibhre (955 m), Ben Alder (1148 m), Beinn Bheoil (1019 m), Meall Cruaidh (896 m) and Càrn Bàn (622 m). From there, it runs over the peaks Càrn Liath (1006 m), Stob Poite Coire Ardair (1054 m) and Càrn Leac (880 m).

The divide separates Loch Ness from Loch Linnhe between the two smaller Lochs Lochy and Oich. It then proceeds through the lakes of Northern Scotland, separating Loch Nevis and Loch Hourn from Loch Quoich over the peaks of Sgùrr na Ciche (1040 m), Sgùrr Airigh na Beinne (776 m), Slat Bheinn (700 m), Sgùrr Mhaoraich (1027 m), Creag nan Damh (918 m) and Sgùrr an Doire Leathain (1010 m). From there it continues over the Kintail, separating Loch Duich from Loch Cluanie over the peaks of Sgùrr a’ Bhealaich Dheirg (1036 m), Beinn Fhada (1032 m) and the Western Top of Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan (1143 m). It separates Loch Carron from Loch Mullardoch and Loch Monar over An Socach (1069 m), Beinn Dronaig (797 m), Bidein a’ Choire Sheashgaich (945 m) and Sgùrr a’ Chaorachain (1053 m). It separates Lochan Fada from Loch Fannich over the peak Sgùrr Mòr (1110 m). It separates Loch Broom from Loch Glascarnoch over the peak Beinn Dearg (1084 m). It also separates Loch Assynt and Loch Glencoul from Loch Shin over the peaks Conival (987 m) and Beinn Leòid (792 m). Finally, it separates Loch More from Loch Merkland. It continues northeast until the end of Northern Scotland over Warth Hill (124 m).    

Highest Points

All of the highest peaks of the Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide are in the Scottish Highlands. Although the main peak of Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan reaches 1151 m, the Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide runs over the Western Top of the mountain at 1143 m. Therefore, Ben Alder is the highest point of the Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide measuring 1148 m. The Western Top of Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan is the second highest point along the divide. Ben Lui is the third highest point on the divide at an elevation of 1130 m.

See also

• Scottish watershed

External links

• Topographical map of the Atlantic-North Sea Continental Divide at continental-divide.eu

References

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