Scotland makes up almost a third of the entire land area of ​​the United Kingdom and consists of the northern part of the island. The capital is Edinburgh, while Glasgow is the largest city and the most populous of the cities in Scotland. Scotland has around 790 islands, of which only around 130 are inhabited.

Scotland's highest mountain, the peak of Ben Nevis in Lochaber, is 1,345 metres above sea level and Scotland's longest river, the River Tay, is 188 km long. Scotland averages over 200 days of rain per year in its wetter western areas.

Scotland's average annual rainfall is around 1,570 mm, which is significantly higher than the UK average. The Western Highlands experience some of the highest rainfall in Europe, sometimes reaching up to 4,577 mm per year. The country also has the UK's highest waterfall, at 200 metres high. Scottish chemist Charles Macintosh invented the waterproof raincoat, known as a "mackintosh", in the early 1820s.

The country is home to over 2,000 castles, with an estimated one castle for every 250 square kilometers.

How much does a diving trip to Scotland cost?

A diving trip to Scotland normally costs from around 30 – 35 000 SEK / person and upwards for flights, transfers, accommodation and diving. But it can vary in price and it is difficult to give a general answer to how much it costs. More information is needed on what you want it to include, how long you want to be away, the structure of the trip, etc. There are many factors that determine and you can find them here on our websiteContact us at Scuba Travel for a free proposal and we will look into it for you.

When is the best time to go to Scotland?

The best time to dive in Scotland and the Shetland Islands is generally from late spring to early autumn. This is when you will have warmer water and better weather conditions. Diving is possible all year round, with late summer/early autumn offering the “warmest” water, around 13-14°C. For more experienced divers, autumn during the cooler months can provide excellent visibility due to less plankton. The Shetland Islands offer diving all year round with long summer days. Dry suits are recommended for all dives, regardless of the season.

o Spring, March – May
o Summer, June – August
o Autumn, September – November
o Winter, December – February

What can I see when I dive in Scotland?

Typical diving in Scotland is that you see more and bigger of what you see in Nordic waters. Kelp forests, cliffs and walls covered with anemones and coral. Lobsters, crabs, sculpins and gilthead seahorses, monkfish, cod, catfish, rays and various echinoderms as well as molluscs such as squid, mussels and nudibranchs. Many go to dive and experience some of the wrecks that are found here along the coast and on the islands off Scotland. The wrecks, which are often very intact, also function as artificial reefs with lots of marine life. Few people know that Scotland has over 4000 documented wrecks.

Animals and nature

Scotland has its moors, mountains, islands, fjords, dramatic coastline and lakes. The country is widely known for golf, whisky, bagpipes, military tattoos, castles, wool and its Loch Ness monster. Scotland also has a diverse wildlife and beautiful scenery. The fauna is reminiscent of Scandinavia and here you can find species such as red deer, squirrels, golden eagles, white-tailed eagles and otters. The surrounding seas have a rich marine life such as dolphins, porpoises, seals, rays and many different species of fish. Many rocky islands along the coast are home to large and many different colonies of seabirds. Inland you can find beavers in river systems and encounter unique flora such as ancient Atlantic rainforests and fragile peatlands. Scotland has many lakes and an undulating terrain with beautiful scenery.

Where is the best diving in Scotland?

The best diving in Scotland is generally considered to be at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. The big attraction in the waters around Scapa Flow is the German High Seas Fleet from World War I. Three battleships, three light cruisers and a fast minelayer.
For another exciting experience, you have a collection of WWII wrecks such as the SS Breda and Hispania, which are teeming with marine life, you can dive in the Sound of Mull located on the west coast of Scotland. You can explore and glide along beautiful walls covered with coral, sponges, sea urchins and anemones. Here you can sometimes see barnacles during the summer and you can pick scallops by hand.

In the Shetland Islands you can get really exciting wreck diving with a liveaboard. Diving in the middle of the North Sea offers good visibility, scenic dives and many historic shipwrecks. Unfortunately we can only offer diving in Scotland for groups with very good advance notice. Transport is not fully developed for diving trips here as in many other countries.

Is there liveaboarding in Scotland?

Yes there are some liveaboards that offer diving in Scotland. Please note that we do not have them on the website as we only book groups* very well in advance. Liveaboards in the North Sea do not have the same standard as in the Maldives for example. Expect rustic, rough and "expeditionary character". Often older worn boats that can handle the sometimes harsh wind and weather conditions of the North Sea. For those of you who want to go on a liveaboard in Scotland or another destination or are considering alternatives for diving in Scotland, contact us with your wishes.
* Note!:- only for groups of 12 people and inquiries on tel: 0301-22100 – Departures

Great species richness

Scotland's surrounding areas include species such as bottlenose dolphins, harbour and grey seals and walruses. The walrus is a common sight in the nutrient-rich waters for a few weeks each year on the west coast. The seabeds and kelp forests are home to a variety of molluscs including a variety of mussels, octopus, nudibranchs and an abundance of sea urchins, starfish, anemones and a marine life reminiscent of Nordic waters and the west coast. Other rare visitors include jellyfish-eating turtles and a variety of fish such as monkfish and catfish. There are also crustaceans such as lobster and crab. Scotland also has a variety of rays, including the great skate, brown-spotted skate, spotted skate and humpback.

For those of you who don't dive

If you're not diving in Scotland's Scapa Flow or Shetland, you can explore historical and cultural sites in Edinburgh or Glasgow. In Shetland, you can see Sumburgh Head Lighthouse or the Ring of Brogar in the nearby Orkney Islands. Other activities include:anda in nature, explore flooded slate quarries on the west coast or take boat trips to see marine life and St. Abbs Marine Park.