FESTING GRINDALL

Protected Area

Fife Ness Coast

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - FESTING GRINDALL offers some of Scottish East Coast & Borders's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 112+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 10m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Festing Grindall is one of those wrecks that just delivers. We’ve always had a soft spot for trawlers, and this one, sitting upright in a modest 10 metres, is just lovely. You drop onto the main deck, often surrounded by curious wrasse, and from there, it’s a gentle exploration. The stern is our favourite, where you can still make out the large prop shaft stretching back towards the absent propeller. The engine room area is the main event, with the impressive triple-expansion engine standing proud, practically begging for a closer look. Schools of coalfish often hang around the superstructure, darting in and out of the skeletal remains. We’ve found plenty of lobsters tucked into crevices here, and the light penetration at this depth really brings out the colours of the anemones clinging to the metalwork. It’s a comfortable dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to spend some quality time pottering around a piece of history. Visibility can vary, but even on an average day, the sheer scale of the engine makes it worthwhile.