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ISSUE 7 ARCHIVE - A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE ORKNEYS & SCAPA FLOWFollowing a request from one of the members on the London Diver Facebook group, we are covering The Orkneys, Scotland, in this issue. The Orkneys offer the usual fantastic diving opportunities that Scotland provides. But without doubt, these islands are firmly placed high on any diver's list of 'must do' dive locations because of the huge number of wrecks from the German First World War fleet that lie on the seabed of the great natural harbour of Scapa Flow. |
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A Good night's kip With most of the dive boats coming out of Stromness, here are a few options that you might consider if you are not staying on one of the local liveaboards: Millers House Tel: 01856 851 969 Just 3 miles from Stromness, The Mill of Eyrland B&B is a beautifully converted mill situated in an idyllic setting by a stream. Tel: 01856 850 136 If you're looking to make more of a general holiday for your group, then a thorough recommendation is to stay at Skerravoe Cottage. Situated right on the Skaill Beach, just 10 minutes drive from Stromness, this recently refurbished cottage sleeps eight people. Skerravoe Cottage Norton Stenness KW16 3HA Tel: 01856 851 077 |
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Food & Booze There are really only three main drinking establishments in Stromness: The Ferry Inn John Street Stromness Orkney KW16 3AA Tel: 01856 850 280 With 3 bars, including the newly refurbished upstairs with comfy leather sofas there's: The Royal Hotel 55 Victoria Street Stromness Orkney KW16 3BS Tel: 01856 850 342 |
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Stromness Hotel 15 Victoria Street Stromness Orkney KW16 3AA Tel: 01856 850 298 For a change from pub grub, The Hamnavoe Restaurant offers the freshest local seafood. 35 Graham Place Stromness Orkney KW16 3BY Tel: 01856 850 606 Not In The Water And you can still get in the water – with early nineteenth century hard hat diving gear. Leviathan International will meet you off your dive boat, so you won't disrupt that hectic dive schedule and get you to experience what it felt like for the pioneers of underwater exploration (£40 pp) Tel: 01856 851 002 To swot up on your wreck history, then it is well worth visiting Stromness Museum 52 Alfred Street Stromness Orkney And the Scapa Flow Visitors Centre Lyness Hoy Orkney 22nd – 24th August: Orkney Beer Festival. Try out a range of guest beers and cask-conditioned ales, and Orkney's own ales, based in Stromness Hotel. Local Diving Contacts Scapa Scuba The Orkneys' only PADI dive centre offers courses, boat diving (52ft MV Radiant Queen – with air & nitrox), fully stocked shop, guided dives and novelty hood designs – I'm going for the Elvis look... Tel: 01856 851 218 |
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Scapa Flow Diving Holidays Day boat or liveaboard diving (25.5 metre MV Invincible – the largest of the Scapa dive boat fleet accommodating up to 14 trimix divers). Tel: 01856 851 110 The Diving Cellar Dive shop and boat diving (65ft MV John L), air to 300 bar and nitrox available on board and both skippers are qualified gas blenders. The Diving Cellar also offer accommodation in two adjoining houses in the centre of Stromness, as well as a self-drive minibus for touring the island. Tel: 01856 850 055 Stromness Diving Centre Diving charters (58ft "Triton" with nitrox available for those qualified to pump it). Tel: 01856 850624 (Steve Mowat) MV Halton Bob Anderson (70ft dive boat with space for 12 divers). Tel: 01856 851 532 Scapa Flow Charters Jean Elaine & MV Sharon Rose, for day and liveaboard charters with air, nitrox and trimix diving available. Tel: 01856 850 879 Scapa Flow Diving & John's Charters Liveaboard and day boat charter (24m MV Karin). Air, nitrox & trimix diving available, plus mixed gas and rebreather courses. Accommodation can be arranged at John's wife, Linda's: Polrudden Guest House. Tel: 01856 874 761 (John Thornton) Sunrise Charters 70ft dive boat with air, nitrox & trimix available on board. Tel: 01856 874 425 Girlmina Diving charters (58ft "Triton" with nitrox available for those qualified to pump it). Tel: 01856 850 227 Many of the dive boats will arrange trips covering, not only Scapa Flow, but also Northern Isles, Shetland, St Kilda and North & East Coasts of Scotland. |
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