UKDIVING
Expedition Knoydart
SCUBA presents the story of Lothian Divers ’ trip to Knoydart and Loch Nevis , recent winner of BSAC ’ s Expedition Award . Story by Keith Adam
In January 2021 , I took the decision to arrange an expedition to Inverie , Knoydart on the west coast of Scotland . I am the Diving Officer for Lothian Divers , branch 1945 , which is based in Edinburgh and has members through the Lothians , Borders and Fife . I did not have a specific goal in mind apart from to further my club ’ s capability to run an expedition and make the most of our club equipment . My aim was to arrange a trip where we would be as self-sufficient as possible . This would involve using our club RIB , Safina , that we almost gave up at an AGM a few years ago . I have been lucky to have been on several expeditions with my other club , Darwen Sub Aqua Club to the Hebrides , Shetlands , Norway and Newfoundland . This was my chance to strike out by arranging something on my own .
I made approaches to those I know who could help me . As I began to form my plans I ran them past Iain Dixon , one of our most experienced members in the club . A second RIB would add resilience to our operations ; it was provided by Sands Castro , one of our members , who agreed to bring her personal RIB , Go Forth . Trying to solve the issue of gas fills , I was introduced to George Brown , who agreed to come on the trip with his compressor . Very quickly I had my planning committee in place , and all of three of them First Class Divers .
Set-up and setback
We had a planning session by Zoom , where the outline of our plan was agreed . We chose a location that was remote but not too remote . Inverie is situated on the Knoydart Peninsula in west Scotland . Although it ’ s part of the mainland , it isn ’ t connected to the road network . The only way in is a 20-mile walk , or by boat .
The original plan was to stay in selfcatering that could sleep 13 people . This left to right , Sands Castro , George Brown , Keith Adam and Janet Khan
Dive Team
Keith Adam , Dive Leader & expedition leader Iain Dixon , First Class Diver Sands Castro , First Class Diver George Brown , First Class Diver Janet Khan , Advanced Diver Alison Fish , Dive Leader
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