BASKING SHARKS OF SCOTLAND

In the aftermath of the 2020 COVID pandemic, our journey to the island of Coll in western Scotland felt especially significant. After months of restrictions and uncertainty, returning to the water was both a privilege and a release.

S

Coll’s wild coastline and open seas provided the perfect setting to reconnect; not just with diving, but with the natural world itself. As we searched the waters for basking sharks, the stillness of the island and the scale of its marine life offered a powerful reminder of why these places matter.

A

The encounter was about more than spotting sharks; it marked a quiet return to exploration, teamwork, and the freedom of being back at sea, at a time when it was needed most.Our military expedition to Gibraltar came during my first year of diving, as I worked toward qualifying as a BSAC Dive Leader. Still early in my training, the trip offered an invaluable opportunity to develop skills in a demanding and unfamiliar environment.

E