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Alternative Names: None
Type of Dive: Drift dive and definitely a Boat cover job. It is just too far to swim or carry for the S shore.Nearest slip to launch from is Sheildaig (there are two but use the newer one).
Suggested Experience: Experienced sport diver
Travel directions: Take the M8 out of Glasgow over the Erskin bridge onto the A82 up the left of Loch Lomond turning right at Tarbet at Crianlarich turn left still on the A82 through fort William still on the A82 turn left onto the A87 at Invergarry turn right off the A87 before the kyle of lochalsh at Auchtertyre turn right onto the (info to follow)
Parking directions: To follow
Lat & Long: N57 32.791 W5 39.455
Depth: Up to 100m
Tides: Tide tables
Site entry/exit: This channel links upper loch torridon with loch shieldaig and the narrows are formed by the headlands of stron badgall to the south and h-airdie glaise to the north (pictures to follow)
Underwater directions: A fast and exhilarating drift through the narrows over boulders covered in life.
Air & Nitrox fills: None close
Site Hazards: Fast currents and depth.
Nearest Public phone:
Mobile Network service:
Accommodation: free camp site just above Sheildaig village with public toilets nearby, Youth hostel in Torridon.
Pub Sheildag
Cafe:
Revision:
Created by: Chris Hine
Date: 13/12/07
Thanks To:
Other comments: Good marine life for the U/W photographer if you risk the camera including ballan wrasse, conger and ling. Angler fish and skate frequent the area. There is kelp down to 10m then there is a steep slope o angular boulders.
Surface Photos: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Dive Report : This site is in the narrows between Outer Loch Torridon and Loch Shieldaig, and experiences some tidal stream movement. The seabed was a steep rock slope from the shore down to 30m and beyond. In the deeper parts the rock had a light scattering of coarse sand and shell gravel. At 28m, the deepest depth reached, the silty rocks had a few cup sponges (Axinella infundibuliformis), characteristic of deep water rock at the entrances to sealochs. There was also a stalked sponge (Haliclona urceolus), and a few deep water featherstars (Leptometra celtica) amongst the common featherstar Antedon bifida. The rocks had scattered small hydroids and many red cushion starfish (Porania pulvillus), but therwise a generally barish appearance with a covering of encrusting coralline algae and barnacles, and scattered urchins Echinus esculentus. Kelp Laminaria hyperborea grew down to around 10m, festooned with featherstars on stipes and fronds. Some kelp plants also had many easquirts on the fronds, and a few snakelocks anemones. A few more animals were seen in shallow water - velvet crabs, shore crabs, spiny starfish, the prawn Pandalus montagui and dahlia anemones.