SeaSonde Network in Scotland: Meet The Brahan Project


Marine Scotland’s Brahan Project has started to deliver ocean current information from a wide part of Scotland’s large marine area using SeaSonde^® high frequency radar technology.

The program results will help not only scientific research, but also search and rescue, pollution control, the offshore oil and gas sector, the renewable energy sector and other users of the sea such as the fishing industry, yachting and shipping.

This new example of ‘Operational Oceanography’ is widely deployed in the USA but this is the first UK installation. The Long-Range SeaSonde HF Radars are installed at two stations - one at North Ronaldsay lighthouse in Orkney and the other at Sumburgh Head lighthouse in Shetland.

The name ‘Brahan’ refers to the 17th century Scottish Brahan Seer reputed to have the gift of second sight, or “taibh-searachd” (Gaelic).

The stream of ocean current data is publicly available. To find out more about the Project visit www.thebrahanproject.com
To see the ocean currents recorded within the last two hours, or within the last week, choose the “Access data” menu option.