POLITICIAN (BOW SECTION)

Protected Area

Sound of Barra

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) - POLITICIAN (BOW SECTION) 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 10m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

We love the Politician’s Bow Section, not just for the *Whisky Galore!* history, but because it’s a properly good shallow wreck dive. At just 10 metres, it’s accessible to most, and what you get is a chunky piece of history, well broken up but still recognisable as a ship’s pointy end. The bow points north, largely intact, with plating ripped open like tin cans in places. Swim through these gaps and you’re in what would have been the forepeak, now a cathedral of light and shadow, with kelp swaying in the gentle surge. We’ve seen plenty of conger eels here, tucked deep into twisted metal, their heads poking out like grumpy old men. Look for dogfish resting on the sand nearby, too, perfectly camouflaged. We always find ourselves lingering around the anchor chains, now draped in dead man's fingers, orange and white against the grey steel. Our favourite bit is the way the light filters down through the surface, creating an ethereal glow around the wreck. It’s a fantastic site for photographers, especially on a calm, sunny day, when the water turns that classic Hebridean emerald. Just remember, it’s Scotland, so be prepared for a bit of chill.