HMS GOLDEN GIFT

Protected Area

Lynn of Lorn

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) - HMS GOLDEN GIFT 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 9m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

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.