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LONCLARA (EX-PLA HOPPER NO 20)

The LONCLARA, originally PLA Hopper No 20, is a proper chunk of history sitting in 16 metres of North Sea chill. We love a wreck with a story, and this old steam hopper, sunk by a mine in 1917, delivers. What you get here is a good, solid wreck dive: a steel frame draped in dead men’s fingers and anemones, with plenty of nooks to poke your light into. The sheer size of it, 65.5 metres, means you can spend a good long time exploring the structure. We’d suggest making a slow pass over the main deck area first; the light can be a bit gloomy, so let your eyes adjust. Look for velvet crabs scuttling amongst the plates and the occasional inquisitive wrasse. It’s not a site for spotting big pelagics, but the macro life, particularly the nudibranchs and small crustaceans, is excellent if you take your time. This is a dive for those who appreciate the quiet dignity of a well-preserved wreck and don't mind the colder water. It’s got that classic Scottish East Coast charm: a bit rugged, a bit moody, but incredibly rewarding.