Loch Fyne, is situated approximately 60 miles from Glasgow centre, and like Loch Long is a typical
West Coast Loch in terms of it's formation, and it's appearance today. Formed as Loch Long, it also
has a river which flows in at the head is carried out to sea via the Clyde (Strong river -
Gaelic root). As for diving almost all the diving is (and all of the sites described here are)
towards the top of the Loch above Loch Gilp. The most popular route to the Loch from the east,
or south is via Glasgow, following the A82 past Loch Lomond then left onto the A83 at Tarbet
thence through Arrochar at the head of Loch Long. The route continues around the loch past
Ardgartan reef, and along the "rest-and-be-thankfull", following this right around the Loch
to Inveraray for the West-side dive sites.
However if you are diving the east side of the
Loch, there is a left turning at the A815, (signed for Dunoon) which will take you round the east
side. From the north or north east the route is usually to aim for Crianlarich, then the A82 down
to Tarbet, and then as above.
In general the diving of all the Lochs on this part of the West Coast is not ideal, many sides have been over-dived. The Outer Clyde, which effectively supplies the tide into the Loch is connected to the main Clyde river, which is the home to many military and industrial sites. The resulting pollution does not aid the formation of pristine reefs. However I believe that many of the fish farming pens have the greatest impact, and it is noticeable that the sites close to fish farms have the least wildlife. Loch Fyne nevertheless has some good dive sites which may be dived at any time, because of the shelter from the surrounding hills. There are some good training sites (Quarry point, Kenmore, 106), whilst there are also some good sites for advanced training such as Furnace Quarry, or Kenmore.
Location 56:12:03N, 5:06:18W Grid Ref:NN075053
From Inveraray, along the A83 approximately 4km from the centre, there is a Caravan park on the left hand side of the road. Enter here, and pass the park offices (where you must stop and ask permission to dive), follow the road down to the Loch and to the right where you will come across a slipway into the Loch, park here. The entry point is either off the slipway or from the beach on either side, the bottom is mud, but further out in the bay there are a number of small wrecked sailing yachts/boats which you may find. The site is fairly disappointing, however it is included as it can be used as a training site, but more importantly there is a compressor available for air fills. The air filling station is not open all the time, however if you ask the staff in the site office they will arrange with the compressor's owner to come down to fill your tanks. Air is available to 300bar, and whilst waiting there are detailed charts of the Loch posted on the walls inside the container - useful to look at! The air fills/compressor is located in a container, near the toilets, again close to the slipway.
Location 56:10:20N, 5:07:07W Grid Ref:NN065021
From Inveraray, along the A83 approximately 4km from the centre, there is a Caravan park on the left
hand side
of the road. Take the turn at/just after the entrance to the park following the road away to the
right from the caravan park, this is a rough private road which follows round the Loch. There is a
large clearing , where the Forrest has been cut down, of to the left is a turning, park here. The
rest of the way is down a foot path into Kenmore "village". This was my favourite dive site on Loch
Fyne, loads of life clear water, and during the surface interval a good area to just spend time.
However since the forrest has been cleared, it rather takes the edge of the surface interval, and
the rain water, normally soaked up by the vegetation, now washes silt etc. down into the Loch covering
everything. Which has killed most of the life on these sites, the best is the deeper walls, but
this is only a matter of time.
Location 56:10:13N, 5:07:06W Grid Ref:NN066019
There are Three dive sites:
Far Bay
Round the point
From the Far bay, go out level with the end of the bay as before but go to the left, following the
wall/slope all the way around to the other bay, where you may exit.
Deep wall
Walk down the path, but where it turns to the right, there is a rough path leading through the mud
to the larger bay on the left, enter here, the bay is useful for training, or you may go round the
point in the reverse direction. Alternatively, fin round the point (surface) and fin directly out
(due East) dropdown, and follow the slope down to circ' 20-30m where you will come across a vertical
wall , go down here and follow it around to the left, this goes down in places to 55-60m. where it again
slopes down. (Goes down to about 80m.)
Location 56:09:25N, 5:08:47W Grid Ref:NN047005
From Kenmore follow the rough private road along, after a small hamlet on the left (Called Pennymore), you will see the Loch again forming a bay, park at the far end of this bay, there is a little area where one or two cars may be squeezed in. Then cross the road where you will find a long walk down a rough path leading to the beach/bay, enter as far to the left of the bay as possible, near the burn which enters here. The site is the wall which runs from here all the way up to Kenmore, so go as far as you wish, there is an exit about 25-30mins dive time along here, where you may exit, and return through the wilderness.
Location 56:09:03N, 5:10:23W Grid Ref:NS030999
Follow the A86 out of Inverary,and carry on for around five miles,turn left on entering Furnace and follow the road down past the houses and onto the entrance to the Quarry.
Be responsible when parking cars,as this is a working
site and could cause problems for lorrys and machinery.
The gateways must be kept clear, and remember wide vehicles do use
the rough road that goes on to Pennymore Point
It is best to transport your kit down to water before suiting up as it can be a hard walk down.
This is a very good site for practising equpipment configurations for deep diving, but not for trainees in the early stages.
The bottom drops quickly so should not be used for testing Drysuits or Bouyancy compensators.
The only bad points are the parking, and the numbers of Jellyfish that tend to be here (so carry the vinegar)
The dives vary from scenic to wreck - from 10 metres down to 55 metres.
Location 56:09:07N, 5:10:26W Grid Ref:NN030000
Enter from the quay, (on high tide via a stride
entry), or scramble down the rocks at the left hand side.
The bolder-strewn slope drops steeply to about 35-40
metres, but by selecting your depth and going either to the left or the right
various life may be found amongst the bolders and wreckage, to the left there is
a large Wrasse which always approaches, who will feed from your hand.
Location 56:09:03N, 5:10:23W Grid Ref:NS030999
There is a small wreck directly below the old pier at 45 metres
(So exerienced divers only as depths here drop quickly to 47-55 metres and it is
usually very dark).
You may find this by dropping right down the slope from the above site, turning to the right, and following
the edge, where the bolder slope meets the silty bottom, eventually after 9-10 minutes (just when you hit deco')
You should come across the Bow.
Much better is to surface swim to the jetty, and drop down here, then follow the bolder/silt edge to the
right to the Bow.
Watch out for fishing line!
Location 56:09:08N, 5:10:16W Grid Ref:NN031000
This again is a deep dive, like the Wreck, you may enter at the quay, and follow the bolder/silt edge,
but this time to the left. However it is a long fin, and you will be well into deco' by the time you get there!
The best is to enter the water via the large slope to the left of the quay (big walk!), then surface swim
out to the point, & drop down a rocky wall which bottoms out at around 55 metres.
To return, follow
the wall round back into the quarry's bay whilst ascending, - Loads of life and you will come across the
large Wrasse on your return. (He will find you!)
Location 56:07:57N, 5:13:38W Grid Ref:NR995980
Carry on along the A83 away from Inveraray, on the left (loch) side there is a turn into a small tea-room/cafe, park in the car park. Follow the private road past the side of the cafe, this leads to the Loch where there is a path down to the breakwater, enter here and down the rock breakwater to the true bottom at about 16m. Turn right and follow the breakwater right round ending up inside the bay partially formed by the breakwater. Alternatively, at the end of the breakwater cut across the bay to exit at the ramp diagonally across the bay, the bay may also be used for training.
Location 56:03:16N, 5:17:04W Grid Ref:NR955894
Follow the A815 until Strachur bay, turn right down the A886, then right into the B8000, this site is 10.6 miles from this turning. The site has a small lay-by for 2-3 cars, follow the path down to the beach, the entry point is here, go straight out, and to the right where you will come across a wall at 10m, follow this down, to about 30m.
Location 56:07:57N, 5:13:38W Grid Ref:NR953892
Follow the A815 until Strachur bay, turn right down the A886, then right into the B8000, past site 106, and on the left is a small hamlet opposite a small bay, the road goes up where there is a bend to the left, part on the right here in a small lay-by / passing place. There is a path leading down following a treacherous route onto the rock ledges below. BOTH the route and the ledges are very SLIPPY! Enter the water to the right, go out at 45deg to the right from this point where you will come across a wall, follow this down to about 40-45m.
Location 56:02:42N, 5:17:32W Grid Ref:NR951885
Follow the A815 until Strachur bay, turn right down the A886, then right into the B8000, past sites 106, and Kirsten, at the next small lay-by / passing place, park on the right here. There is a path leading down following a treacherous route onto the rock ledges below. Enter the water to the right, go straight out from this point where you will come across a wall, follow this down to about 40-45m. Tides can be very strong!