The Clyde
The Clyde is steeped in history, running through Glasgow, it links what still is a very busy industrial and military port with the Irish Sea. Littered with wrecks, many of them gloriously intact, what keeps the hoards of divers away from this area?
Well, mainly it is the visibility. Anything from 6m-8m to zero, all on the same dive is easily possible. Also it is black, not just dark, but black. Think moonless night, in a cave, in blacked out glasses and your eyes closed and you are close. So, poor vis and dark….why are we diving here again?
The wrecks which litter the floor of the Clyde are remarkably intact, a few having been wire swept, but most lie intact, free from major salvage and comparatively un-dived. The aforementioned poor conditions putting off all but the most hardened divers from seeking out these majestic relics, preserved until the sea finally takes them.
Getting there.
Well this very much depends on where you are based. Approaching from the South, you can take the A760 over the hills and into Largs itself, which gives wonderful views of the countryside and the sea. However, beware taking this route back, as it crosses some fairly high areas and you need to be careful with exposure to altitude. The A78/A8 into Glasgow is a viable alternative. Beware out of season, as the roads can be subject to snow.
Largs.
Largs is a small but perfectly formed town right on the coast. Its large supermarket, pubs and take-aways all make it an excellent base for any diving party diving this area. Largs also has its own marina with dive shop offering nitrox. The George serves excellent food both downstairs to a bar meal type menu, and upstairs in its restaurant which it is a good idea to book.
Facilities
Largs Marina offers a number of visitor berths for ribs, as well as launching. Please contact them for up to date prices etc. The marina complex houses a number of small nautical shops, a chandlers, dive shop etc. It also has a large café area which serves a wide variety of food.
Inverkip.
Inverkip is the next marina up the coast from Largs. This is where the ever popular Clutha is based, run by Elaine Watt and crewed by Neil. Inverkip is accessed via the main road the A78 north from Largs. Once off the main road, take the first right over the small bridge and onward to the car park. The pontoons are accessed via a gate, which may well be locked. It is worth making sure you have Elaine’s mobile number to ensure you can get in! Trolleys are available for a £1 coin deposit to allow easy ferrying of kit to the boat (system the same as at the supermarket, so make sure you have a coin spare!).
The Marina has its own toilets and showers, but these also require a key. However, if you hang around someone is bound to let you in eventually as it is a busy site! There is a pub which also does take out food.
The Chandlery here is extensive, with a huge array of books, clothing and bits and bobs enough to keep any technophile happy for hours. They also stock a good selection of sandwiches and snacks. In the summer, this may well be easier than trying to get into the pub.
Elaine often returns to the marina between dives, but it is well worth checking with her before you depart.
The boat
The Clutha runs all year round, but due to the fact Elaine is a full time school teacher, only at weekends during term time. Also be aware that Scottish school holidays are not at the same time as English ones.
The Clutha is an excellent dive platform. Plenty of room undercover with the weatherdeck having a steel roof over the kitting up area, the undersides of which are plastered with photographs from previous dive trips. The benches are wide enough for even the fattest bottoms and bulkiest rebreathers! An on board compressor offering clean air means that you need not worry about staying the extra time on the wreck and not having enough gas for a second dive.
The boat also has a large head (toilet) that is clean and warm, a novelty on dive boats!
Elaine cooks a fantastic home made soup, which is served between dives – exactly the kind of thing you want to take your wet neoprene gloves off and defrost your fingers with!
Neil the crew is a diver himself, so be sure to use him to his full potential 
Accommodation
Largs has any number of B&B’s dotted throughout its historic streets. The best way to find what you are looking for is to phone the Scottish Tourist Board, as they will actually do the phoning round for you – always handy.
If you book with Elaine, she is happy to arrange accommodation for you, usually using Roberta’s B&B which is outstanding. A warm welcome and offstreet parking (beware of the very narrow alleyway to the left of the house and please park carefully!) mean this is an excellent base for any dive group.
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Dives on the Clyde range from 25m – 45m, with deeper dives for groups experienced enough bookable by prior arrangement. As already mentioned, they are deeper and darker than many novices would usually like, so please make sure this is very clear when advertising any trip here.
