Loch Long, western Scotland

Surface interval: surfacing at Loch Long All photos: Mike Clark Peach-coloured anemone

Above surface level, the summits of the high hills that surround the loch are covered in a thick layer of snow; further down the slopes, the pine trees are covered in a sugar dusting of snow, making a beautiful sight that is worth the trip on its own.

For the diver, all that fresh water frozen in the hills is great news as it doesn’t get into the loch. This keeps the underwater visibility clear with an average of 5m. Another bonus enjoyed here is the warming effect of the Gulf Stream, which keeps the water temperatures up at around 10°C in December.

A favourite site is at Finnart on the southeast side of the loch. Here, there used to be a pier that serviced the large oil depot. This has been demolished and part of its remains lie on the seafloor, with the most impressive part known as the ‘A-frame’. These are a couple of A-shaped supports that rise 5m off the sea bed.

They are completely covered in clusters of beautiful peach-coloured anemones and peacock worms, and are home to lobsters and congers. This, in addition to the other wreckage and the natural reef with all its gobies, crabs and squat lobsters, makes for a fantastic dive to keep you going through the cold winter. There is very little tide here and sites in the loch are well sheltered, offering year-round diving.

To find the A-frame, take a compass bearing on the white lighthouse on the far side of the loch (due north) from the entry point and fin down to 16m, where you will pick up the wreckage; you don’t need to go past 20m. If you don’t fin into the A-frame, it will be just to your left.

To find a local dive centre/boat, go to pages 100 and 106 of DIVE’s Classified section