HMS RIANT

Protected Area

Loch Sunart

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 RIANT 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

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The HMS Riant, a drifter vessel lost in foul weather off Scotland’s West Coast in 1940, offers a proper historical dive. She lies shallow, her bow often poking out of the surface at low tide, which is brilliant for those who prefer their wrecks without the deep-dive deco obligations. We love exploring the triple-expansion engine, surprisingly intact, with a single boiler nearby. It’s a tangible link to her minesweeping days, and you can almost feel the chill of that winter’s storm. The Riant is a favourite for photographers when the light hits just right, illuminating the dense plumose anemones that carpet her hull. Look for squat lobsters tucked into every crevice, and the occasional inquisitive conger eel peering from a pipe. Visibility here can be temperamental, as is typical for the West Coast, but when it’s good, the Riant really shines. We’d suggest timing your dive for a slack tide to fully appreciate the structure without fighting a current. It's a superb wreck dive for anyone keen on history and macro life, especially if you appreciate a shallower profile.