Torridon Narrows

 

Alternative Names:    None       

 

Type of Dive:   Drift dive                    

 

Suggested Experience:   Experianced sport diver

 

Travel directions:  Take the M8 out of Glasgow over the Erskin bridge onto the A82 up the left of Loch Lomand turning right at Tarbet at Crainlarich 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:          

 

Lat & Long: N57 32.791 W5 39.455

 

Depth:  80 - 100m

 

Tides:     Oh Yes                 

 

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:                     

Nearest Public phone:     

 

Mobile Network service:

 

Pub:                                      

 

Café:                                     

                      

Version:       1                        

 

Created by:   Finstrokes

                      

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 steap slope o angular bolders.

                                  

Surface Photos:      To Follow            

 

Underwater photos:         To Follow   ....    

 

Divesite map:       To Follow    

 

 

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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 deepwater 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.