HMS BRACONBURN - Scottish East Coast & Borders

The HMS *Braconburn* is one of those deeper wrecks that really rewards the effort of a dedicated trip. Dropping down, you hit the bow first, often enveloped in a cloud of jewel anemones, all oranges and purples against the steel. This isn’t a pick-your-way-through-ribs kind of wreck; it’s largely intact, lying upright, so you get a real sense of its former life as a trawler, converted for wartime duty. We love the bridge area; it’s still recognisable, and you can often find conger eels peering out from gaps in the plating, their thick bodies surprisingly graceful in the gloom. Penetration is possible here for experienced wreck divers, with the engine room and accommodation spaces offering a glimpse into the past, though always proceed with caution given the age of the vessel. For those preferring to stay outside, the deck is littered with ghost nets, which we’d advise giving a wide berth, but also provides shelter for huge squat lobsters. It’s a site best enjoyed on a slack tide, otherwise the current can make navigating the deck a bit of a workout. Expect a good hour of decompression, but trust us, it’s worth it for the history and the sheer scale of the wreck.

Location

Scottish East Coast & Borders, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

56.583210, -2.168262

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

36m

Marine Protected Area: Rickle Craig - Scurdie Ness