Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101731 - Scapa Flow, Orkney

The *James Barrie* isn't one of Scapa's colossal German fleet wrecks, and that’s precisely why we love it. She’s a smaller, Scottish steam trawler, sunk in 1969, and offers a different kind of dive. Rather than vast, overwhelming structures, you get an intimate exploration of a working vessel. We prefer hitting this site early, before the boat traffic picks up, when the light filters down just so. Descending onto the *Barrie*, you’ll find her mostly intact, lying on her port side at around 20 metres. Her bow points east, and the stern section is still discernible, providing plenty of nooks to poke around in. The wheelhouse is a favourite, with the remains of the steering gear visible, often shrouded in a cloud of poor cod and snake blennies. Congers sometimes peek from shadowed companionways, their thick bodies disappearing deeper into the wreck as you approach. The seabed around her is soft, and visibility can vary, but on a good day, the wreck stands proud, draped in dabberlocks and hairy sand weed. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the details, the history of a working boat, and the hardy marine life that has truly made it home.

Location
Scapa Flow, Orkney, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
57.641376, -1.743371
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Loch of Strathbeg

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 Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101731

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 Wreck of Unnamed Shipwreck - Canmore 101731

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