Fyne Pioneer, Loch Fyne

Site Name: Gortein Point - Loch Fyne

Dive Site Info

There are three walls at this dive site in various depths. Swimming down to around 17-20m, you will come across a submerged cable running north-south. The cable runs over a small wall first which can be followed down to about 30m. In comparison to the other two walls, this one is not particularly impressive. The cable does not actually go over the second wall, but dips into the sand. If you turn left at this point, on a good vis day you will see the top of the second wall. The second wall steps down to 52m.

 

The third wall is the most impressive in terms of colour and life. Take a compass bearing on the direction of the cable when it starts to go into the sand, and keep swimming in that direction. After a couple of minutes the cable reappears going up and over another wall absolutely covered in plumose anemones. This is only a shallow wall in depths of 8-20m, but worth the swim over to investigate.

 

The bottom is sandy and scallops are plentiful. On a good day visibility can be up to 10 metres.

When to dive

This site can be dived at any state of the tide.

Images
Gortein Point - Loch Fyne - Fyne Pioneer

© Shôn Roberts

A diver swimming up to the shallows at Gortein Point, November 2014.

Gortein Point - Loch Fyne - Fyne Pioneer

© Shôn Roberts

A common dab (Limanda limanda) edible flatfish on the sandy bottom at Gortein Point. November 2014.

Gortein Point - Loch Fyne - Fyne Pioneer

© Shôn Roberts

The curves of the butterfish (Pholis gunnellus) stand out against the rocky bottom at Gortein Point. November 2014.

Gortein Point - Loch Fyne - Fyne Pioneer

© Shôn Roberts

Here you can see the delicate filters of the peacock worm (Sabella pavonina) descending from a cluster of yellow ringed sea squirts (Ciona intestinalis). Part of a northern featherstar (Leptometra celtica) is poking down to the left of the frame. November 2014.

Gortein Point - Loch Fyne - Fyne Pioneer

© Shôn Roberts

A bloody henry starfish (Henricia oculata) and a northern featherstar (Leptometra celtica) beautifully banded in red and white. The featherstar is an SNH Priority Marine Feature. November 2014.

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