SHORE DIVING SITE PRO FORMA

The Caves, Loch Long

Type of Dive: Wall dive to 45+m

Suggested Experience: Experienced divers who have good buoyancy skills

Travel directions: If approaching from south, take A817 through Glen Fruin turning right at roundabout onto the A814 and continue north. The parking is 1.8 miles north of the Glen Douglas road junction with the A814 (not the MOD ammunition facility of the same name). Park at a concrete bridge/ culvert. From Arrochar – which is the better choice of route - take the A814 south and find the bridge 1.8 miles south of Pit Stop Diner. To check, look for the blue polypropylene rope under the culvert.

Parking directions: There is parking for two cars north and one or two cars south side of bridge, opposite the loch. It is best to only take one car so leave any other cars at Pit Stop Diner, Arrochar.

From Little Chef, Milton: 26 miles, 45 minutes

OS Map & Grid Ref: OS Map 56; 27905, 02038

Lat & Long: 56:10:795N; 04:46:479W

1:200 000 Map

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=228000&Y=702000&width=700&height=400&gride=248061.11103526&gridn=664111.167589999&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&keepicon=true&zm=1&scale=200000

1:25 000 Map: Divesite is midway between Ardmay and Morelaggan

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=228000&Y=703000&width=700&height=400&gride=248061.11103526&gridn=664111.167589999&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&keepicon=true&zm=0&scale=25000&down.x=287&down.y=4

Site entry/exit: There is a steep entry to the north of the bridge leading under the bridge. Don’t bang your tank on the entrance to culvert. Taking your life, and the blue polypropylene rope, in your hands, follow under the bridge to the waterside. Take great care on way down so you don’t land on your arse.

Underwater directions: Entry/exit is a steep sandy/pebbly shore. There is a ledge at 6m for any final gear adjustments. Follow ledge/ wall to 15 to 30m where large boulders form faces/overhangs. Fin south (wall to left) returning north (wall to right). Beware of the ‘Xmas tree’ - a large tree covered in fishing line - at 8m. Fishing lines can be a problem anywhere on this site.

Divesite map/sketch: By John Nicolson

Divesite map/sketch: By Stewart Russell

http://www.freewebs.com/scubaportal/ssac/dive%20site%20drawings/the%20caves%20s.r.2006csac.pdf

Site Hazards: Cars on A814, culvert can be slippery and strenuous, fishing lines can cause entanglement, dark dive, wall does drop in parts to 45m+, thieves (from SSAC 2004 news).

Nearest Public phone: Arrochar beside The Pit Stop Diner

Mobile Network service: Vodaphone, Orange

Pub: Village Inn, Arrochar

Café: Pit Stop Diner, Arrochar

Other comments: A favourite evening/ night dive from Glasgow.

Links:

http://www.musac.man.ac.uk/directory/sites/uk.wscot.carrick.caves.htm

http://www.neptune-divers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/dive_site_reports_on_the_interne.htm#Caves

http://www.boness-sac.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/caves.htm

http://www.musac.co.uk/musac/Loch_Long_Sites/The%20Caves.pdf

Some good photos from The Caves by Paul Bullen

http://www.uwscotland.com/lochlongcaves/index.html