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Alternative Name(s): The Gauldrons
Travel directions: A83 Ardrishaig to Tarbert Loch Fyne, towards Campbeltown. Follow signs for Machrihanish. Pass through the village and turn into the private road on the right to the university field station.
Parking directions: Park on large flat area directly to the left of the field station. Sea bird observatory hut is to the right. (see photos below)Alternative access can be made by following the farm track beyond the research station and a pile of stones. Park where the rocky shore begins. This is known as the Gauldrons.
Distance from Glasgow: 126 miles
OS Map & Grid Ref: NR629208
Lat & Long: 55° 25' 29.26'' N 5° 45' 3.10'' W
Site entry/exit: Enter from gently sloping rocky shore. Watch out for slippery kelp. Surface swim towards the mouth of the cove. You can return to the same beach or to that of the adjacent cove. Alternatively, access to the Gauldrons involves climbing down a rocky slope. Enter via a gully with a big rock at its start and a narrow exit with a smaller rock beyond.
Underwater directions: Lots of kelp in the shallows. Head to either left or right. Left takes you towards the Gauldrons site. There is a rocky reef coastline right along this coast. Do not go too close to the inlet pipes to the research facility. Depth to about 15m although that would involve a long swim.
Air & Nitrox fills: Pennyseorach
Site Hazards: Slipping on rocks, high swell, off shore currents, inlet pipes to the fish farm
Suggested experience: Sport Diver
Nearest Public phone: Machrihanish
Other comments: Access is via private land so treat the site with respect. Show courtesy to the ornithologists.
Pub: Plenty locally
Created by: Charles McGurk
Date: 14 May 2007
Thanks to: Livingstone Russell, Campbeltown SAC, Ruth Smith
Links: None
Reference: Calum Buchanan & Donald Fairgray (1995) Kintyre & Gigha Dive Guide, 2nd edition, Krisp Print, Campbeltown, 42pp
Land photos:
Underwater photos:
Dive Report: