29 Steps, Finnart, Loch Long
Type of Dive: Easy slope with small reef
Suggested experience: Suitable for trainees and novice divers
Travel directions: The easiest way is to first identify the A Frames carpark. From A82 Loch Lomondside, take the A817 through Glen Fruin turning right at roundabout onto the A814 and continue north until the obvious dirt carpark by the roadside below the Oil Storage Depot tanks. From Arrochar take the A814 south until the A Frames carpark. A road crosses the A814 obliquely 2 to 300m up the Loch from the A Frames carpark. The left hand private road goes down to a house signposted ‘No 1 Fire Pump House’. The other road is for emergency access to the Oil Storage Depot gate.
Parking directions: Park on the side of the road going to the Oil Storage Depot gate. Do not obstruct the access. Try and avoid parking by private road as the private house water supply runs under where you might park immediately adjacent to the steps
From Little Chef, Milton: 23.1 miles, 30 to 45 minutes
OS Map & Grid Ref: OS Map 56; 24334, 95317
Lat & long: 56:07:097N, 4:49:819W
1:200 000 Map
1: 25 000 Map: Site is by house just north of Oil Storage Depot
Park where road crosses A814 obliquely at top of diagram
Site entry/exit: The narrow ’29 steps’ run to the shore between rhododendron bushes and beside a large tree beginning where the A814 and private road join. Do not go down the private road. The shore has an old stone jetty running straight out into the loch and a set of rails and old winch 20m back towards A Frames. Kit up by the old jetty and enter on the shingle strip.
Underwater directions: Swim straight out from jetty and find 5 by 2m steel platform for diver training at 8 to 10m. About 6 to 10m further on and 2 to 3m deeper but veering to left, is a small sunken boat. Continue to 15m then turn left and follow contour to come to a group of old steel supports for a dolphin – ‘Dn- on chart. This runs onto an anemone city on a group of red rocks from 14 to 8m. Fin back veering leftwards again to regain entry/exit. Rest of site is gently shelving small rocks on sand/mud. To left of entry is a steeper angled sand/mud/gravel seabed.
Divesite map/sketch:
Site Hazards: Cars on A814; the 29 steps to the shore can be slippery when wet
Nearest Public phone At A Frames car park
Mobile Network service: Vodaphone, Orange
Pubs: Anchor Inn, Garelochhead; Village Inn, Arrochar
Café: Pit Stop Diner, Arrochar
Other comments: Site is named for the number of steps between the road and shore. It is commonly used for diver training by Aquatron. Aquatron have installed a steel platform at 8/10m for diver training and sunk a small boat.
Version: 1.0 alex maclennan July 2006
1.1 alex maclennan August 2006
Surface Photos: Car parking on the Oil Depot access road
Enter to right of old stone jetty on the shore.
Old jetty and rails looking back towards A Frames
UW Photos: Anemones at Anemone City by Alan Robertson
