Snorkelling at The Caves, Loch Long

by Carol Reid

I remembered from my diving days that there were plumose anemones on several pinnacles which were quite shallow at around 5-10 metres depending on the height of the tides. I determined that the next time there was a very low tide I would search them out.

A suitable time and tide turned up one Wednesday - and no, there were no divers around that day to accompany me. I decided that the opportunity was not to be missed and roped in my husband to act as shore cover which he willingly did.

One entry is via a tunnel under the bridge which marks the dive site and the other one requires careful steps down a steep, slippery gravel path using branches and small tree trunks as handholds. Easy enough as a snorkeller but quite tricky carrying dive gear!

Armed with my SMB and camera I made my way through the tunnel to the water's edge and donned hood, mask, gloves and fins. I knew that the pinnacles I was looking for were about 50m to the left so I finned off in that direction keeping fairly close to the rocky shore where the seabed was visible.

When I came to the pinnacles and saw the growth on them I was delighted that my determination to catch this sight at low tide had been worth it as the photographs show.

The tips of the pinnacles were only about 1m below the surface so I didn't have to duck dive very deep in order to take my photographs.

I've returned to this site twice as a snorkeller but have not seen the anemones in such glory on these other occasions. This was the best snorkel dive I have had in Scotland.








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