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ELEGANCE

Elegance in Scapa Flow isn't one of the big German warships, but that’s precisely why we love it. This isn't a sombre wartime relic; it's a modern fishing vessel, lost to fire in 2004, now fully reclined on her port side at 34 metres. Descending, you’ll find her surprisingly intact, a stark contrast to the shattered giants nearby. We'd suggest heading straight for the wheelhouse first; it's still largely recognisable, a ghost of its working life. The engine room, where the fire started, is a mess of twisted metal, but still worth a peek if your gas allows. Elsewhere, the hold is open, a dark maw inviting exploration, though watch your fin kicks – silt can be a real issue here. What makes Elegance special for us is the amount of life that has taken hold. Ballan wrasse dart in and out of the superstructure, plump squat lobsters peek from every crevice, and the deck is carpeted in anemones and dead man’s fingers. The visibility can be variable, but on a good day, the light filtering through the open deck sections creates an eerie, almost cathedral-like atmosphere. It’s a site for divers who appreciate a well-preserved modern wreck and the quick reclamation by the sea, a perfect second dive after one of Scapa’s deeper giants.