URLANA

Protected Area

Ascrib, Isay and Dunvegan

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) - URLANA 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 14m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Urlana is a bit of a classic, a really solid Scottish wreck dive. She was a steamship, built in '41, then went aground off the coast in 1943 carrying cargo from Buenos Aires to London. We love how intact she is, even after all these years. At a maximum depth of 14 metres, it's a relaxed dive, and you can really take your time exploring. Visibility, as ever in Scotland, can be hit or miss, but when it’s good, the Urlana is a beauty. We’ve had dives where you can see the bow from the stern, the whole ship laid out beneath you. The triple expansion engine is a particular highlight, really impressive, and often covered in these incredible jewel anemones, all oranges and purples that just glow in your torch beam. You'll often find a decent sized pollack lurking in the darker corners, and crabs scuttling over the plates. It’s an accessible wreck, ideal for anyone comfortable with a bit of chill in the water, and we think it's one of the best for really getting a sense of a ship’s structure.