West Lothian Sub Aqua Club
Scotland
MV Mary Doune
8 /9 April, 2006.

Saturday 8 April.

After a comfortable night in the lodge we were off across the Sound of Sleat to Skye.

Dive 1 - Rubh an Dunain, Skye.
This vertical wall to 30+ m is a spectacular sight, particularly in the 20 m visibility that we had when the sun came out. It is covered in invert life all the way down and is an old favourite.

Dive 2 - Sgeir Mhor, Skye.
Another favourite this reef rises up to 8 m with a beautifully colourful wall covered in jewel anemones at 15 m along it's length. With the bottom shelving from 29 m up to 24 m along the dive and a gully cut top this is another favourite.

Sunday 9 April

Another comfortable night at Doune in the lodge and a delicious meal of roast Skye lamb in the restaurant. Come the morning we are off again, this time to Rhum. The northerly wind gave us the opportunity to go to sites that are very rarely diveable.

Dive 1 - Sgeirean Mora, Rhum.
The reef runs out due south from the southern tip of Rhum and is usually impossible because of the prevailing westerly winds and swell. Today it was incredible. On the east side over the sand at 18 m the visibility was easily 30 m. Again abundant invert life covers the wall and boulders.

Dive 2 - Bogha Na Fionn-Aird, Muck.
Another reef running south out from the SW corner of Muck that is undiveable in the prevailing westerlys. Vertical rock from the surface down to 8 m then a narrow gulley parallel with the face of the cliff above leading down and out onto the house-sized boulder slop at 18 m. The kelp is still on top of these boulders at 20 m - their sides are covered in soft corals, anemones and other inverts. Again 30 m visibility.

We all agreed that the diving was the best we have had up here so once again we send our heartfelt thanks to all at Doune for another great weekend.

Great diving, great company and a lovely meal. We'll be back in October.

If you have any corrections, comments or suggestions e-mail us.