CAIRNGLEN

The SS Cairnglen was a 5,019 GRT steamship built in 1926 for the Cairn Line of Steamships. With the outbreak of the Second World War, it became a vital part of the Allied war effort, transporting goods across the treacherous North Atlantic. In October 1940, while sailing as part of Convoy OB-229, the Cairnglen was targeted by the German U-boat U-38. On October 22, a torpedo struck the vessel, crippling it and sending it to the bottom off the Scottish coast. The sinking was a stark reminder of the deadly efficiency of the U-boat wolfpacks during the Battle of the Atlantic.

What makes the Cairnglen an extraordinary dive site is its extreme shallow depth of just 3 meters. This makes it one of the most accessible wrecks in the region, suitable for snorkelers and novice divers as well as seasoned explorers. Having been battered by waves and storms for decades, the wreck is extensively broken up and scattered across the seabed. Exploring the site feels like a shallow-water scavenger hunt, with divers able to easily identify the massive boilers, sections of the turbine engines, and twisted hull plates. The wreckage is carpeted in kelp and seaweed, providing a rich habitat for small fish and crustaceans, making it a lively and interesting site despite its fragmented state.