PITSTRUAN (PROBABLY) - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Okay, let's talk about the *Pitstruan*. First off, the "probably" in the name tells you a bit about diving in Scapa Flow – sometimes you’re not 100% sure what you’ve found down there, and that’s part of the adventure. We’ve spent a few hours on this one, and while it might not have the sheer scale of some of the battleships, the *Pitstruan* offers a different kind of dive. Dropping down to 56m, you land on what’s left of a trawler, mined back in 1917. The stern is often the most intact section. We love finning along the deck, picking out the winches and davits, and imagining the working life of the vessel before it became a wartime casualty. Visibility here, like much of Scapa, can be surprisingly good, letting the light penetrate deep enough to highlight the structural details. Look for the large conger eels that have made their homes in the deeper crevices; they’re often curious, sometimes a little lazy. Our favourite part? The sheer density of plumose anemones, creating these soft, feathery carpets on any flat surface. It’s a quiet, contemplative dive, more about the history and the slow reclamation by the sea than grand scale exploration. It’s ideal for divers who appreciate historical wrecks and aren't afraid of the deeper end of the recreational limit.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.465134, -2.993200
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
56m

Marine Protected Area: Noss Head

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 PITSTRUAN (PROBABLY)

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 PITSTRUAN (PROBABLY)

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