Photo credit: Visit Scotland.

The dive season is in full swing and I am already lucky enough to have been to some spectacular places already this year!!

For me the season begins in Oban in early March, mainly because having worked on the Halton and Clasina with Bob Anderson for so many years, it is ingrained in me, but also because of the clear (mostly) waters that come with the cold. The scenery in Dunstaffnage Marina is absolutely stunning at the start of year, and the cold is a small price to pay to see the snow-capped mountains surrounding the Sound of Mull.

This year, I made a trip that has been on my list for a long time, St Kilda. I have spent many weeks trying to get to these islands, home to thousands of seabirds, but until this year the weather has always refused me entry. However, this year we were able to get two nights in Village Bay and complete 6 dives there before the weather decided to force us home. St Kilda diving is out of this world and is very different from the other outliers such as North Rona, and Sule Stack, that I have been fortunate enough to visit. The diving isn’t for the faint-hearted though, and you battle with the currents and surface waves before you get can submerge, but it is always worth it. The rock formations under the water seem to go on forever, with high-energy species thriving in these environments. Kelp beds down to more than 30 metres, and underwater arches which seals use as a playground – although they don’t half make you jump when they swim past – their curiosity getting the better of them.

For me though, it is the Alaria esculenta that thrives right at the top of rock formations that sticks in my mind. Moving around in the swell it’s almost mesmerising to watch whilst you are doing your stops, and I could sit and watch it move around all day – perks of never getting seasick! Thanks to Bob though, without his continued exploration of these areas we would never be exposed to the fantastic marine life held by these islands!

Photo credit: Kirsty McWilliam.

On the way back to Uig, we stopped and dived the Stassa, a cargo boat sitting in 22 metres of seawater in Rodel Bay. She is covered in marine life and makes a great dive before crossing the Minch. Kirsty Andrews (known for her incredible marine photos) took an epic photo of me whilst swimming around the wrecks – thanks Kirsty!!

Photo credit: Kirsty Andrews.

Now I am back on the North-East coast, and the dive season is starting here too. Our weekly dives throughout the summer (provided there is no wind), are beginning and I am excited to get back in the water! Hopefully, the visibility will be good enough to get some photogrammetry done over the next few months, something I can hopefully share in the future. I also have some upcoming diving for my PhD….and I am looking forward to sharing my work with people at a conference…but until then here’s hoping for some good weather!