SCOTTISH
SAVING ARRAN
The diving community around this Scottish west coast island has been proactive in protecting the seabed from further devastation by trawlers and dredgers - and the proof is in today’s underwater experiences, as reported
by ROSS MCLAREN
HEADING OUT FROM the slip we swim west, planning to do a large loop of the outer edges of the No Take Zone. It might have been a long time coming for me, but diving here is worth the wait.
I have seen videos of how the seabed once was - a barren wasteland scarred by dredging. But now, no matter in which direction I look, there’s life.
From starfish to crabs to scallops and even the odd flatfish hiding in the sand, the seafloor is buzzing with activity. It’s difficult to focus on any one section without something else catching my eye.
Unfortunately on this and other dives there is no sign of octopuses or lobsters (which simply means that I’ll need to go back), but there is more than enough to keep me satisfied.
To top it all, we surface after our 70-ish minutes of diving to one of the most breathtaking views I’ve come across at a dive-site. The sun is setting behind the hills of Arran, and the view across to the Holy Isle in Lamlash Bay is nothing short of spectacular.