Wreck of Peterborough Merchant

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 - Wreck of Peterborough Merchant 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 *Peterborough Merchant* isn't your average Scottish wreck. For us, it’s one of those dives where the history truly hits you, a cargo ship from the 1700s lying broken but still very much there on the seabed. We love dropping down and seeing the way the timbers are scattered, like giant matchsticks, giving you a real sense of the force that tore her apart. What you'll find here is less about intact structures and more about the atmosphere. The wreck is pretty broken up, but that just means there are more nooks and crannies to peer into. Look for sections of hull, ancient anchors, and the ballast stones that once kept her upright. It's a fantastic spot for macro life, too. You’ll often spot velvet swimming crabs scuttling over the wood, or squat lobsters tucked deep inside crevices. We’d suggest going at slack water to really take your time and explore the debris field. The visibility can vary, as it often does in these waters, but even on a murkier day, the sheer age of the wreck makes it special. This is definitely one for divers who appreciate maritime history and are happy to hunt for smaller details rather than swimming through grand cabins.