LILY MELLING (POSSIBLY) - Scottish West Coast

Okay, so the *Lily Melling* – or what we *think* is the *Lily Melling* – is one of those west coast wrecks that just gets under your skin. Lying at a comfortable 19 metres in the Sound of Islay, she’s a trawler, grounded back in 1929. The site has that classic Scottish chill, a real sense of history. We’ve found the bow section still quite intact, though time and tide have definitely taken their toll, as you'd expect from something that's been down there for almost a century. What we love about this wreck is the way it’s become such an artificial reef. You’ll find plumose anemones coating the structure like thick white shag pile carpet, and the nooks and crannies are perfect hideouts for conger eels, some of them surprisingly large. Ling often cruise the perimeter, their pale bodies almost disappearing into the dim light. Visibility here can be a bit variable, but on a good day, with a bit of ambient light filtering down, the sight of those anemones swaying gently is really something. Our tip? Go at slack water; the Sound of Islay can kick up a bit of a fuss, and you’ll want to properly explore without fighting the current.

Location

Scottish West Coast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

55.867138, -5.667736

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

19m

Marine Protected Area: Loch Sween