wreck

Log This Dive

GAELIC

The Gaelic, an old iron barquentine with a history stretching back to 1898, sits in about 25 metres on Scotland’s west coast. She’s a proper piece of history, serving as a Q-ship in WW1, which just adds to her appeal. We love how much of her structure remains, especially the bow and stern, despite the collision that sank her in 1952. You can still see where those twin motors, fitted in 1916, would have been. Visibility here can be hit or miss, typical for the west coast, but when it’s good, the Gaelic is fantastic. Even in murkier conditions, her size, 38.4m long, means there's always something to bump into. The wreck is well broken but distinct, and the resident conger eels are usually out, peeking from every crevice. We've also spotted plenty of wrasse darting through the plates, and the anemones that have colonised the ironwork add a surprising splash of colour against the dim light filtering down. This is a great dive for anyone who appreciates a bit of maritime history and isn’t afraid of a proper Scottish wreck dive.