wreck

Log This Dive

Wreck of William Hill

The William Hill, a steam trawler that went down in 1918, is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to on the Scottish West Coast. Dropping down, you feel the chill of the North Atlantic, but that quickly fades as the superstructure looms into view. We’ve found her at depths anywhere from 20 to 35 metres depending on the tide, sitting upright and surprisingly intact. What we love about the William Hill is how she’s become a home. Ling and conger eels poke out from rusted portholes, and huge edible crabs scuttle across the deck. Look inside the wheelhouse, if the visibility is playing nice, and you might spot a friendly wolf fish peering back. Our favourite part is navigating the engine room, feeling the tight squeeze, and seeing the machinery frozen in time. This site is definitely one for the experienced wreck diver comfortable with cold water and proper buoyancy control; there are plenty of penetration points but also plenty of silt to kick up if you’re not careful. Come in late summer or early autumn for your best chance at decent vis.