Dunollie Point, Oban

Alternative Name:                          Dunollie Castle

Type of Dive:                                   Boulder slope, training site

Experience suggested:                Suitable for trainees and novice divers if at slack water

Travel directions:                           There are two main routes. Firstly, take the A82 up Loch Lomondside to Crianlarich, then, at a T junction, turn left onto the A83 and continue through Tyndrum to Oban.  Secondly, take the A82 up Loch Lomondside to Tarbet.  In Tarbet take the LH fork onto the A83 and follow this to Inveraray.  On entering Inveraray, take the RH turn under an arch onto the A819.  Follow this to a T junction, turn left onto the A83 and follow this to Oban.  In Oban follow signs for Ganavan.  Dunollie Castle and point are half way along the road to Ganavan about half a mile out of Oban.  There is an old stone slip then a bend in the road at the point, then a laybye beside a track to a small shingle beach.

Parking directions:                        There is no parking by the slip so leave kit and move cars to the laybye where they can be safely parked.

From Little Chef, Milton:   79 miles.  2 hours

OS Map & Grid Ref:                       OS Map 49 85067; 31976

Lat & Long:                                      56:25:616N; 005:29:131W

1:200 000 Map

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1:100 000 Map

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1:25 000 Map:

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Site entry/exit:                     This can either be done from the old stone slip or from the shingle shore.

Underwater directions:    This is usually done as a drift/ wall dive entering at one place and exiting at another.  Enter either at the slip or beach.  Swim through a band of kelp down to 10 metres. Once clear of the kelp, turns either left or right depending on entry site and follow the rock wall, exiting at the disused slip at Port Mor or the shingle beach. The diver can choose any depth down to about 25 metres. Below the rock wall to about 10m is a boulder slope.  After-20 metres the bottom is sandy and featureless. At 10-15 metres, a variety of shellfish and soft corals can be found amongst the rocks and navigation is easier. A fairly sheltered dive although some tidal flow may be experienced while rounding the point.  Try to choose close to slack water.

Site Hazards:                                  Parking and crossing the A85.  Current at some states of tide.

Nearest Public phone:                  Oban

Mobile Network service:  All available.

Pub & Café:                                     Plenty in Oban

Version                                             1.0

Created by:                                      alex maclennan

Date:                                                  August 2006

Surface Photos:                             Dunollie Castle with the slip below it

Slip

Parking around from slip

Track to shingle shore

Shingle beach looking past Dunollie Point to Kerrera