So, I've been looking at dive guides to sites I've never dived that are doable after work. One has featured prominently - Carrick Castle on Loch Goil. The castle itself has an impressive history and was even visited by Mary Queen of Scots. Today it is under private ownership and is being restored. However, there is free parking across from the castle and access down to the beach .
The Finstrokes dive guide suggested it was a novice site and it is. However, it is a shallow sloping muddy seabed that when disturbed can reduce visibility to zero. The shallow slope could also make natural navigation that bit harder. So if you are a newb make sure you take a compass in with you!
Jester and I headed in and slowly descended. There wasn't much interesting life, but there was an impressive array of shoes, bottles and sea pens. By the time we got to about 15m my ears were screaming. So we turned and headed back zig zagging as we went.
The highlight came at about 10m when Jester, who was pointing out to me a fascinating tyre and completely missed the fact that there was a decent 20ft wreck of a small boat about 3m away from him. When I pointed it out I heard him chuckle underwater.
We returned slowly to the foot of the pier. It was awash with seaweed and starfish.
All in all a decent wee dive. I won't rush back, but I'm glad I've done it.
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| Arrival |
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| Sea pen |
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| Brandy |
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| Where's my sub? |
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| To the mouth of the loch |
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| To the head of the loch |
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