Alternative Names:  None

Type of Dive:   Shore dive in Loch Ailort

Suggested experience:  Any 

Distance from Fort William:   30 Miles  45 mins  Take the A830 out towards Mallaig. Straight after passing through Loch ailort turn left onto the A861. The site is just under 2 miles along this road. Depending on the tide you will see the barge sitting near the edge of the loch.  Google

Parking directions:  As shown accross the road in the picture below.

Lat & Long:    N56.855654  W-5.705646

Tides:    Tide tables

Depth: 20m

Site entry/exit:  Enter the water in the middle of the bay its a very easy enrty exit.  

Underwater directions:  Swim roughly NW and down a very gentle slope and at around 2-3 metres it starts to get a little steeper and becomes rocky. You then come to a small low rocky reef with quite a lot of galathea squamifera in almost every crack and crevice. These are not as big as the long clawed squat lobsters or as bright as the spiny ones so it’s easy to miss them. Your torch usually picks out their tiny bright little eyes.  Sea stars and swimming crabs are everywhere and you will find the odd patch of yellow boring sponge and a few northern urchins. Having investigated this continue down over a rocky shingly slope and find decorator and edible crabs, scorpion fish, and butterfish. Eventually the shingle and rocks disappear and it becomes sandy which is rather barren on the surface except for the usual hermit crabs scuttling around. As you make your way back come back at a very slight angle towards the head of the loch or SSE this will bring you up to a rocky area at around 3-4m with a lot of Serpula Vermicularis or organ Pipe worm. Finally follow the line of the shore back to your entry point. There is no wow factor to this dive but it is pleasant with a reasonable amount of life.

Site Hazards – The odd boat and slight mid tide currents

Site Hazards:   None 

Nearest Public phone:  

Accommodation:  There are a few places round the loch where you can wild camp

Mobile Network service: 

Other comments:  There is going to be a big fish farm in the loch next year.

Pub:     The Inn

Created By:   Jane Wilkinson

Cafe:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Air & Nitrox fills:  The underwater centre  5Bells

Date:   Nov 2011

Revision:  1

Thanks To: 

Links:  None

Surface Photos:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Underwater Photos:  By Jane Wilkinson

Dive Map: 

Dive Report:        This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Live google map: