LILY MELLING

Protected Area

Rubh' a' Mhail to Uamhannan Donna Coast

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) - LILY MELLING 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 13m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Lily Melling sits in the Sound of Islay, a real proper wreck that’s been down since 1929. We love how the story of her grounding plays out when you’re finning over her plates. She’s not deep, just 13 metres, which means plenty of bottom time, and the light often filters through the whisky-dark water in long, eerie shafts. You’ll find her broken up, but still very much a ship. Her stern is the most intact section, a good spot to poke around and see where her structure gives way to the sea. The prop shaft tunnel is still visible, a cool swim-through if you’re careful with your buoyancy. Our favourite part has to be the deck plating, draped in dead man’s fingers and home to squat lobsters tucked into every crevice. We often spot conger eels in the deeper shadowy sections of the hull, and velvet swimming crabs are everywhere. Visibility can be hit or miss in the Sound, but on a good day, the atmosphere is incredible. Go at slack tide; the currents here can be a bit lively. It’s a great dive for anyone who appreciates a bit of history with their rust, especially if you enjoy exploring rather than just viewing.