BALLISTA

Protected Area

Glas Eileanan

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - BALLISTA offers some of Scottish West Coast's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeBlue Whales, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 112+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 6m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Ballista, sitting shallow on the Scottish West Coast, is a proper cold-water treat. This steamship, built in '39, went down in '73, leaving us a surprisingly intact wreck at just 6m. We love how accessible she is, making for a relaxed dive where you can really take your time poking around. She’s broken midships, but the bow and stern sections are still clearly defined. Our favourite part is nosing around the engine room, where you can still make out the compound expansion engine and that single boiler – a real ghost of industry. Visibility can swing, but on a good day, the light filtering down gives the whole site a moody, ethereal glow. Shoals of saithe often hang around the superstructure, and we’ve seen some decent-sized conger eels tucked into various nooks. It’s a fantastic site for newer wreck divers or anyone who appreciates history without the depth-related fuss. Just remember your drysuit; it’s Scotland, after all.

Typical BALLISTA Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Today06:4717:3410h 47m daylightGolden hour 16:42

BALLISTA Wreck History

Year Sunk

1973

Vessel Type

tugboat

Cause

unknown

The Ballista offers one of the most accessible wreck diving experiences on the Scottish West Coast, lying in just 6 metres of water. Built in 1939, this steamship had a long working life before its loss in 1973. In an ironic twist of fate, at the time of her sinking, the Ballista was owned by the Elliot Diving Company. The exact cause of her foundering is not widely documented, but her shallow grave makes her a fantastic site for novice divers, underwater photographers, and even snorkelers on a clear day.

Divers can expect an easy and relaxed exploration of a small, compact wreck. The shallow depth allows for long bottom times and excellent light penetration, illuminating the boiler and engine components that remain. Over the decades, the Ballista has transformed into a vibrant artificial reef, teeming with crustaceans hiding in its crevices and patrolled by schools of small fish. It's an ideal location for a second dive of the day or for those taking their first fin-kicks into the world of wreck diving.