PARTS of the Wee County may be badly affected by rising sea levels by 2050, according to a climate change study.
International researchers have argued that large swathes of land could fall under the high tide line in less than 30 years.
The study, by Climate Central, argues that coastal areas in Asia would be the worst affected, with chronic flooding of residential areas.
For Clacks, should the study bear out, it would mean low-lying areas of Cambus and Alloa falling under the high tide mark and at greater risk of flooding (more info below).
A note on the study reads: "Sea level rise is one of the best known of climate change’s many dangers... Over the course of the 21st century, global sea levels are projected to rise between about two and seven feet, and possibly more."
Climate Central is made up of leading scientists and journalists who research climate change and its impact on the public.
READ: Climate Central report on rising sea levels worldwide
It has created an interactive map, using current projections to show which areas of the country could be lost to rising sea levels by 2050.
Importantly, Climate Central admits the calculations that have led to fears of a nightmare scenario include "some error".
It says: "These maps incorporate big datasets, which always include some error. These maps should be regarded as screening tools to identify places that may require deeper investigation of risk."
The maps have been based on "global-scale datasets for elevation, tides and coastal flood likelihoods" and "imperfect data is used".
Researchers added: "Our approach makes it easy to map any scenario quickly and reflects threats from permanent future sea-level rise well.
"However, the accuracy of these maps drops when assessing risks from extreme flood events.
"Our maps are not based on physical storm and flood simulations and do not take into account factors such as erosion, future changes in the frequency or intensity of storms, inland flooding, or contributions from rainfall or rivers."
But it adds: "Improved elevation data indicate far greater global threats from sea level rise and coastal flooding than previously thought and thus greater benefits from reducing their causes."
It should be noted that these are only projections.
Here, we look at what areas in Scotland could be lost according to the study.
Stirling, Alloa, Falkirk, Fife and Dundee
If the climate change predictions come true, huge parts of Grangemouth and much of Falkirk would be flooded by the tidal waters of the Forth.
The area around the Kelpies would be among the many areas hit, with the entire shoreline redrawn.
In Alloa itself, much of the main town centre would remain unscathed; however, the areas around Alloa Academy, the rugby club and land around the Black Devon could face chronic flooding.
Clackmannan could even become a coastal town, while industry based at the Glassworks, Williams Bros and Diageo would face constant disruption.
According to the interactive map from Climate Central, floodwater from the Forth could - at times - reach as far in as Smithfield Meadows and Smithfield Loan by 2100.
Kincardine would be devastated by floods with at least half of the town under the high tide line by 2050.
A similar story could be told for Stirling. While much of the integrity of the town centre remains safe, Riverside, Cornton and Cambuskenneth could be at risk of constant flooding.
Further north, the historic Old Course at St Andrews could be struck by North Sea flooding, if the studies projects are accurate.
And in Dundee, the V&A museum, the railway station, airport and the Tay Road Bridge are all in line to be hit by 2050.
Greater Glasgow and the west coast
The study predicts a widening of the River Clyde, with its riverbank completely changing.
Glasgow Airport would be affected by the rising water, with Braehead Shopping Centre and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital also at risk, as will The SEC and Science Centre.
Moving west, the area around the Titan Crane and West College Scotland campus in Clydebank could be hit.
The study suggests that huge areas of Dumbarton could be lost to the Clyde and Leven, with the coastline in Helensburgh also hit.
Across the Clyde, Greenock’s shorefront may take a battering under the predictions.
The Waterfront and Esplanade would be unrecognisable, with Cappielow Park only narrowly missing being flooded.
Further round the coast, the tourist-hotspot of the Largs coastline will be impacted, if the predictions play true – with Nardini’s and the Ferry Terminal both being hit.
Cumbrae doesn’t bare much better, with chunks of coastline predicted to be gone in just a few decades.
The same can be said in Ardrossan, with the ferry terminal and the entire south beach flooded.
Saltcoats Harbour is also predicted to be badly hit, with flood waters reaching as far inland as the train station.
Irvine faces a similar fate, with only areas more inland than their station also remaining unscathed.
And in Ayr, key landmarks like the Racecourse and Somerset Park remain safe, but the popular beachfront, Wellington School and Newton-on-Ayr station would all face floods.
Edinburgh and East Lothian
The centre of Edinburgh remains fairly unscathed in the predictions, with Leith taking the brunt of the hit, according to the study.
The usually busy Portbello beach will likely look completely changed if the study fairs true. Meanwhile, further south, Musselburgh could lose lots of land to rising sea levels.
North Berwick, Belhaven, Dunbar and the Torness Nuclear Power Station all look at risk.
South Scotland
Across the Borders, coastal towns like St Abbs and Eyemouth face a treacherous future, according to the study, with Eyemouth harbour and beach at risk.
Over on the East coast, areas like Annan, Gretna, Stranraer and Cairnryan will also have a completely different coastline.
Aberdeenshire, Highlands and the North
Increasing sea levels could cause havoc for areas of Montrose, with vast swathes of housing sites subject to chronic flooding by 2050 – according to the study.
Dunnottar Castle would also be at risk – however the predictions suggest that Aberdeen itself would remain mostly unaffected.
Flooding could impact large parts of Inverness, however, especially in the north of the city.
Across the Highlands, small patches of land near the coast are predicted to be hit.
Meanwhile, in the Hebrides, vast swathes of land would be subject to risiing sea levels.
Readers can view the full map here.
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