Kirkcudbright Harbour

Notice to mariners for Kirkcudbright Harbour

Safety bulletin for Kirkcudbright Harbour

Kirkcudbright Harbour is the busiest commercial fishing harbour in Dumfries and Galloway. Much of the landed catch is processed locally.

The quay, harbour office and pontoon marina are on the River Dee below Kirkcudbright Bridge. The pontoon marina can accommodate up to 50 small craft. 

Kirkcudbright Harbour facilities

Kirkcudbright Harbour has:

• power
• water
• toilets
• showers
• fuel  – available by tanker at the quay or bought at the local filling station

The town of Kirkcudbright has:

• a range of shops
• hotels
• cafes and restaurants
• banks
• a swimming pool
• a golf course

Harbour documents

Our harbour documents section has:

• a berths and moorings application form
• a map of Kirkcudbright Harbour
• a bathymetric survey map of Kirkcudbright Harbour
• our harbours directory
• harbour fees and charges
• harbour electricity supply charges

Go to harbour documents

Pay for a visitor berth booking

If you have applied for a berth, you can pay for it online.

Pay for a visitor berth booking

Report an incident

An incident is any event that causes harm, damage or environmental contamination to a person, vessel or object within the waters of a statutory harbour area or its approaches.

Near misses are events that had the potential to cause an incident. Near misses should also be reported.

Report an incident

Nautical information

Nautical information for Kirkcudbright Harbour includes:

• latitude of 54º 50' 18" N 
• longitude of 04º 03' 24" W
• admiral charts: 1344, 1346, 1121, 1826 and 2094
• Imray: C62

Tidal range and depth

Kirkducbright Harbour has the following tidal ranges and depths:

• springs – 0.8 to 7.5 metres
• neaps – 2.4 to 5.9 metres

The fishing vessels which can use the quay have drafts typically of 2.5 to 4.5 metres and take the ground for 2–3 hours either side of low water. 

Smaller vessels with a draft up to 2 metres can be accommodated at the marina. 

Care is needed when berthing as tidal streams can be very strong.

Harbour empowerment order

We hold an empowerment order for Kirkcudbright Harbour. This order allows us to legally improve, maintain and manage the harbour.

Go to the Dumfries and Galloway Council (Kirkcudbright) Harbour Empowerment Order 2008 on legislation.gov.uk