ARGYLL - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The Argyll might be shallow, just 5m down, but don't let that fool you. This isn’t a quick splash; it’s a proper Scapa Flow history lesson you can breathe in. Sunk deliberately as a blockship back in 1914, she’s an iron vessel from 1872, and time has certainly had its way with her. We love how her plates and frames are spread across the seabed, creating this fantastic, sprawling artificial reef. You’ll spend your dive weaving through fragmented hull sections, seeing the ribs of the old girl reaching up from the sand. It’s less a single intact wreck and more a field of intriguing iron structures. Look closely and you’ll find butterfish darting between the crevices, and we’ve often spotted colourful sea slugs grazing on the kelp that dances in the gentle surge. It’s an accessible wreck for almost any diver, brilliant for photographers wanting interesting light and texture, or anyone who just wants to spend an hour exploring the history that lies scattered below.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.880970, -2.902341
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Wreck History - ARGYLL

Year Sunk
1914
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
scuttled
Tonnage
1,029 GRT

The SS Argyll (also recorded as Argyle) is one of Scapa Flow's original blockships, a veteran from the dawn of World War I. Built in 1872, this iron-hulled, single-screw steamship had a long commercial career before being called into naval service. With the outbreak of war in 1914, the British Admiralty moved quickly to secure the vital naval anchorage of Scapa Flow from the growing threat of German U-boats.

The aging Argyll was one of several merchant vessels requisitioned for a sacrificial mission. On September 17, 1914, she was steamed into Kirk Sound, one of the vulnerable eastern entrances to the Flow, and deliberately scuttled. She and the other blockships formed the first line of a crude but effective anti-submarine barrier that would be reinforced throughout both world wars. Over the decades, the powerful Orkney tides and storms have relentlessly pounded the wreck.

Today, the remains of the Argyll lie in just 5 meters of water, making the site highly accessible to snorkelers and divers of all levels. The wreck is heavily broken and scattered, with flattened iron plates, the ship's boiler, and other machinery strewn across the seabed amidst thick kelp. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the very first layer of Scapa Flow's extensive wartime history and is a popular spot for a shallow second dive or for underwater photography.

Marine Protected Area: Copinsay

Best Time to Dive in Scapa Flow, Orkney

The warmest water temperatures in Scapa Flow, Orkney occur in January, averaging 8.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 8.4°C (air: 5.5°C)
  • February: 8.4°C (air: 5.3°C)
  • March: 8.4°C (air: 5.9°C)
  • April: 8.4°C (air: 6.8°C)
  • May: 8.4°C (air: 9.7°C)
  • June: 8.4°C (air: 12.4°C)
  • July: 8.4°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • August: 8.4°C (air: 13.7°C)
  • September: 8.4°C (air: 12.7°C)
  • October: 8.4°C (air: 10.2°C)
  • November: 8.4°C (air: 8.0°C)
  • December: 8.4°C (air: 5.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Nearest Dive Centres to ARGYLL

Marine Life in Scapa Flow, Orkney

Home to 155 recorded species including 63 reef fish, 17 whales & dolphins, 12 sharks & rays, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ARGYLL

Based on average water temperature of 8.4°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 8°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories