Wreck of Fortrose

Protected Area

St Andrews - Craig Hartle

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - Wreck of Fortrose 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

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Fortrose is one of those wrecks that just grabs you. We often find ourselves drawn back to her, especially on a day when the light is just right and filters down through the green water. You’ll drop onto her somewhere around 30 metres, a substantial old cargo steamer broken in two, but still remarkably intact in places. The stern section is our favourite, with its huge propeller and rudder still in position, a real sense of history down there. Swim through the holds, which are now home to grumpy-looking conger eels and squat lobsters tucked into every crevice. We’ve seen plumose anemones blooming on the bulkheads, creating these beautiful, feathery displays in the gloom. It’s a proper penetration dive if you’re qualified and careful, but even just exploring the deck offers plenty of intrigue. Keep an eye out for ling lurking in the deeper shadows. This isn’t a colourful, tropical dive, but it’s got a raw, powerful beauty that truly showcases what cold-water wreck diving is all about. It’s best appreciated by divers comfortable with deeper, darker conditions and a bit of current.