You could say we ’ d got soft in Shetland . In recent years it ’ s become too easy to jump in the RIB and power round to the wrecks that lie to the south of Lerwick harbour , or the colourful walls to the north of Bressay . Or maybe just stop at the wreck that lies below the graveyard , just 150 yards from shore . 10 minutes by boat , dead easy …
Of course it all came to a stop , and we could only look out philosophically on glassy seas as – inevitably- the best spring weather in years visited Shetland . “ It ’ ll still be there when this is over ” we said . “ It ’ s only a hobby ” we said , keenly aware of those far less fortunate .
It was grand when restrictions were lifted somewhat , but with social distancing meaning the RIBs would be staying in the shed , it was back to planning shore dives , and that wreck that lies below the graveyard . “ Bit of a hike …” “ What a scramble down those rocks ... Helluva slippy …” Short memories . The site – and access – was standard fare for trainees in past days . Enter the water and thrash around in the kelp until clear of standing depth .
But it ’ s a cracking site . Fin 100m offshore , drop down to the seabed at 6m and you ’ re onto the wreck of the Drottningen af Sverige ( Queen of Sweden ), lost in January 1745 on passage to Cadiz then onward to China . A cluster of four cannon against a low wall points the way down to the remainder of the guns , which lie dispersed between 12 and 16m , among bedrock outcropping and gullies with a gravelly sand covering .
Scott Jamieson examines plumose anemones near the bus stop
PHOTO : NEIL FINLAYSON
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