wreck

Log This Dive

Wreck of Francis Yates

There are wrecks, and then there are *wrecks*. The *Francis Yates* is firmly in the latter camp, a proper piece of history resting in the murky embrace of the Scottish West Coast. We love how the visibility here is rarely what you’d call ‘Caribbean’, but that just adds to the atmosphere, doesn’t it? It’s a dive that really suits those who appreciate a bit of mystery and a tangible link to the past, rather than just chasing the biggest fish. Dropping down onto her, the first thing you notice is the sheer size of the hull, largely intact, stretching out into the gloom. We’ve spent many dives just tracing her lines, imagining the life she once had. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of life now, too – conger eels peering from dark recesses, squat lobsters clinging to rusted plates, and sometimes, the ghostly silhouette of a dogfish cruising by. This isn’t a high-speed, colourful reef dive; it’s a slow, contemplative exploration, where the wreck itself is the star. Our advice? Take your time, bring a good torch, and let the history wash over you.