Underwater Photographer Billy Arthur devotes his spare time to photographing the shallow seas of his native Shetland, with extraordinary results. Words by Simon Rogerson
UKDIVING
A Shetland Symphony
Underwater Photographer Billy Arthur devotes his spare time to photographing the shallow seas of his native Shetland, with extraordinary results. Words by Simon Rogerson
A golden sea scorpion perches on kelp
Afternoon light cuts through the surface water, illuminating a swaying field of kelp... a curled octopus haunts the shadows of a ferry pier.... gannets plunge into the high energy waters below some of Europe’ s most imposing sea cliffs. These are quintessentially Shetland scenes, from a place often referred to as Scotland’ s Galapagos, sitting atop the British Isles where the North Sea meets the Atlantic. Shetland is a haven for naturalists, and divers in particular. Orkney-based liveaboards visit during the kinder( but still unpredictable) summer months. They tend to focus on the wrecks, but it could be argued that the scenic diving is what truly defines Shetland’ s marine scene. This is a place where locals exchange news about the latest orca sightings, where 20 metre viz is common currency and otters are seen every day – if you know where to look.
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