URMSTONE GRANGE - Scapa Flow, Orkney

Urmstone Grange isn't a deep dive, sitting at a comfortable 6 metres, but don't let the shallowness fool you. This blockship, deliberately sunk in 1914, offers a surprisingly engaging rummage through history. We love that you can spend ages here, tracing the length of the 103-metre hull, now largely broken up but still forming distinct sections of twisted metal and plating. Visibility can be variable, it is Scapa Flow after all, but on a good day, the light penetrates beautifully, illuminating the dense kelp forests that have taken root. It’s an ideal site for macro enthusiasts or those newer to wreck diving, offering plenty of nooks and crannies to peer into. Look for the shy velvet crabs tucked into crevices and the vibrant nudibranchs grazing on the kelp fronds. Our favourite approach is a slow drift along its length, letting the gentle current guide you over the scattered remains.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
58.927350, -3.314889
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Marine Protected Area: Hoy and West Mainland

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 URMSTONE GRANGE

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 URMSTONE GRANGE

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