BUDRIE

Good diving all year

Protected Area

Hoy and West Mainland

Why dive here

With 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - BUDRIE offers some of Scapa Flow, Orkney's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 8-14°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeYear-round

WetsuitA drysuit

Marine lifeBlue Whales, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 140+ species recorded

Water8-14°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 8m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Budrie isn't about deep dives or pelagics. It’s about history you can touch, plain and simple. Sunk as a blockship in 1915, this steamship lies shallow, barely 8m deep, making it accessible to just about anyone comfortable diving in cooler water. We love the way the light filters through the kelp, dappling the deck plating and the skeletal remains of her superstructure. You’ll find walls of plumose anemones clinging to the metal, and inquisitive wrasse darting in and out of the shadows. Our favourite time to dive the Budrie is on a calm, sunny day, ideally at slack water around low tide for the best visibility. The stern is particularly photogenic, with the rudder and propeller still largely intact, now completely encrusted. There’s a quietness here, a real sense of being part of Scapa Flow’s story, a feeling you don't always get on the deeper, grander wrecks. It’s a gentle exploration, perfect for photographers or those looking to connect with the past without the pressures of depth or current.

Typical BUDRIE Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Cold water this month (avg 13°C). Drysuit or thick wetsuit (7mm+) recommended.

Today06:4117:2110h 40m daylightGolden hour 16:25

BUDRIE Wreck History

Year Sunk

1915

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

scuttled

Tonnage

2,130 GRT

The SS Budrie was a steamship that earned its place in history not through a long career of trade, but by making the ultimate sacrifice. During the height of World War I, the vast naval anchorage of Scapa Flow was a critical asset for the British Royal Navy, and protecting it from German U-boat incursions was a top priority. To block the smaller, more vulnerable eastern channels, the Admiralty requisitioned a number of old merchant ships to be deliberately sunk as 'blockships'.

On October 3, 1915, the SS Budrie fulfilled its final duty. The old steamer was carefully positioned in Kirk Sound and scuttled, settling onto the shallow seabed to create an impenetrable barrier. Decades later, during WWII, the 'Churchill Barriers' were built, creating permanent causeways that incorporated the now-aging blockships. Today, the Budrie lies in just 8 meters of water, making it a fantastic and easily accessible dive. Its hull is broken but the boilers and machinery are still recognizable, offering a fascinating glimpse into naval history and providing a thriving habitat for the marine life of the Orkney Islands.