Loch Long, a day out
A question to start:
What do you do when given an occasional day’s holiday to go Christmas shopping?
Answer:
Grab the opportunity with both hands and go diving, and where better than Loch Long?
Loch Long is just North of Helensburgh on the West of Scotland an offers unparalleled diving opportunity. The Loch has a large selection of dive sites most of which can be relatively easily accessed. They offer a road all the way round and parking. It is close to villages and towns which offer food and accommodation. The only downside is that the nearest compressor is in Glasgow (but that is not too big a problem).
Friday morning, we headed off north stopping briefly for the tradition of a MacDonalds breakfast, this was obviously going to be a healthy trip! We were fortunate in our journey and arrived at Loch Long by 12:30, even though we took the long route via Arrochar to make sure the car was facing the right way (it is a proper road just few safe turning points).
The first dive was The Caves (The caves (finstrokes.com)) a good dive with a tricky entrance and exit. There is one parking space next to the bridge and this is a tight fit.
Once parked we kitted up and made our way down the rough steps behind the bridge, crouched low to go through the tunnel and slowly lowered ourselves down the slippery rocks using the rope handrail conveniently in place.
From there we entered the water and descended down the slope to about 28 meters and came across a firework anemone. The next stage is to turn left and gradually work our way up the cliff face which consists of rocky outcrops covered in anemones and filled with squat lobsters, blennies and crabs. All around us were large schools of fish hovering over the rocks and darting to the back of the many small caves. It is worth noting that there are many lost lines, this is a popular fishing spot. after forty minutes we surfaced and made our way back to the van and off to the second dive site.
Dive two and it was getting dark (or darker in the water).
Finnart (Finnart (finstrokes.com)) has to be my favourite and never fails to give enjoyment. It is an easy entrance, off the carpark and into the water, if the tides out a short walk out. The dive plan, straight out bimble around and straight back. As usual it was full of life and every nook and cranny of the old pier had some critter hiding inside. Another long dive and we stripped the kit down and headed off to the hotel.
A kit wash, shower, a nap and then out for a curry at the Masala Twist then back to the hotel and an early start for home the next morning.
Twenty seven hours later I pulled onto the drive satisfied with a grand day out.
