NORMAN - Scottish West Coast

The Norman, out on the Scottish West Coast, is a proper dive, a bit of a journey but worth it. We love finding these older wrecks, the ones that have been down there for a century and become part of the seabed. This isn't a dive where you're admiring new paint; it's about history and how the sea reclaims things. She’s a steamship, went down in 1900, about five miles west of Oversay Light. When we've dived her, you can feel that age. She sits at 38 metres, so this is one for experienced divers, folks comfortable with deco stops and a bit of chill. Visibility can be a typical Scottish lottery, but on a good day, it’s grand. You descend onto the deck, usually spotting shoals of saithe hanging around the superstructure. They seem to eye you up as you pass. Inside, if you’re doing penetration, the machinery is encrusted, but the sheer scale of those old engines is impressive. Look for nudibranchs, often some vibrant ones, on the plates, and the odd lobster tucked into a crevice. It’s a quiet dive, often just you and the wreck, and we really rate that solitude. Our favourite part is often just hovering above the bow, imagining the journey she had before that Force 6 storm got her.

Location

Scottish West Coast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

55.666595, -6.650919

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

38m

Marine Protected Area: Bridgend Flats, Islay