Unique Location and Site

Established in the early 70s by the British Government as a trials facility, and then later, thanks to the North Sea oil boom, as a commercial diving school, The Underwater Centre provides a unique location for trials and training requirements.

The Centre is located on the shores of Loch Linnhe, a sheltered sea loch in the shadow of Ben Nevis in the west Highlands of Scotland, about two hours drive north of Glasgow. Thanks to the sheltered nature of the loch, trials and training can take place almost all year round. This, coupled with the sea loch features of tidal flows and steep water depths, makes the loch particularly popular for trials and training alike.

The nearby Corran and Loch Eil narrows provide fast tidal flows, typically between 5 and 8 knots.

The sea loch bed hosts numerous wrecks and structures – several sunk army vehicles, a concrete inspection block and a NDT station/ mock-up rig structure. These features are at depths of around 20m just off the pier. The loch drops to depths of 100m and 150m within around a mile and a half of the pier.

Our unique location – the sheltered sea loch, private pier, inshore dive tank complex – along with our extensively experienced team mean that those undertaking trials or training here in Fort William, will gain knowledge and experience just like they will come across in the field. All of our facilities are in the one location in Fort William on the shore of the loch, so there is no need for long boat or bus rides which will eat into your day.

To visit and arrange a tour of our facilities, contact Douglas Ormiston on +44 (0)1397 703 786 or email douglas@theunderwatercentre.co.uk