HMS GOLDEN GIFT - Scottish West Coast

Diving the HMS Golden Gift feels like stepping back into a moment of wartime chaos. This isn't a deep dive, sitting shallow at 9 meters, which is great because it means plenty of bottom time to explore. The wreck itself is a drifter vessel, built in 1911, and it went down after a collision with the ferry 'Lochinvar' in 1943. You can still make out the distinct outline of the hull, and we love picking out details from its working life. What really gets us about the Golden Gift is how the marine life has taken over. Even in these colder waters, it's alive with colour. We often see plumose anemones clustered on the metalwork, their white tentacles swaying with the gentle surge. There are usually plenty of squat lobsters tucked into crevices, and we’ve even spotted a few dogfish cruising around the perimeter. It's a proper historical piece, accessible and surprisingly vibrant, ideal for divers who appreciate a wreck with a story.

Location
Scottish West Coast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
56.416485, -5.475633
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
9m

Marine Protected Area: Lynn of Lorn

Nearby Dive Sites in Scottish West Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to HMS GOLDEN GIFT

Marine Life in Scottish West Coast

Home to 127 recorded species including 50 reef fish, 15 whales & dolphins, 10 seagrass & algae, 9 sharks & rays, 8 other, 7 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species