HMS BEATHWOOD (PROBABLY)

Protected Area

Rickle Craig - Scurdie Ness

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - HMS BEATHWOOD (PROBABLY) 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 20m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

We love a wreck with a bit of mystery, and the *Beathwood* certainly delivers. Lying in 20 metres, this old trawler is a brilliant rummage, especially for those who appreciate history steeped in cold North Sea brine. The structure is quite broken now, but you can still pick out the bow and stern sections, and that single, prominent boiler is a real landmark, often swarming with small cod and inquisitive wrasse. We find that the stern section, in particular, rewards a careful look, with plenty of nooks and crannies for conger eels to hide and squat lobsters to cling to the rusted plates. It’s not a site for pristine visibility, so manage your expectations there – it's the East Coast, after all. But when conditions are good, the light penetrating the deck plates and silhouetting the schools of saithe that often hang above the wreck is quite something. This is a solid, honest wreck dive, perfect for divers who enjoy piecing together a vessel's story from its remains and getting up close with the hardier marine life of Scottish waters.