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Wreck of William Butler

When we talk Scapa Flow, everyone thinks of the German High Seas Fleet. But for us, the William Butler offers a different kind of immersion, a grittier, more personal story. This isn't a destroyer, but a steam trawler, sunk in 1918 by a mine. The wreck lies broken, her bow section distinct from the stern, a testament to the explosive force that tore her apart. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the way the light filters through the green Orkney water, giving the metal a muted, ethereal glow. Her boiler is still largely intact, a big, imposing cylinder that we love to circle, often finding conger eels peering from dark recesses. There are plates and ribs everywhere, covered in anemones and dead man’s fingers, which add surprising splashes of colour against the rust. We find it’s a brilliant dive for photographers who want to capture the solemnity of a working vessel lost to wartime. Explore the debris field around her, you'll often spot squat lobsters and crabs scuttling amongst the smaller pieces. Visibility can be hit or miss, so check local reports before you head out. When it's good, though, the sense of history is palpable.