GOLDEN SHEAF

Protected Area

Isle of May

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - GOLDEN SHEAF 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 Golden Sheaf, a Pittenweem seine-net trawler, met its end on the Isle of May back in '78. Now, she rests in just 10 metres of water, making her a perfect choice for extended bottom times and a cracking second dive. The wreck itself is pretty broken up, but that’s half her charm. We love nosing around the scattered plates and twisted metal, imagining the force of that grounding. What you'll find there now is a thriving artificial reef. Expect to see plenty of wrasse darting between the debris, their iridescent scales catching the light. Crabs scuttle in the shadows, and we've often spotted some chunky lobsters tucked away under the larger sections of hull. It’s not a grand, intact vessel you're penetrating, but rather an archaeological scatter, a marine life magnet. We'd suggest going on a calm day for the best visibility, as she can get a bit stirred up with any swell. This site suits divers who appreciate history and close-up marine encounters over big, dramatic structures.