Conger Alley, Loch Long
On the western shore, diagonally opposite Arrochar.
- Popular site
- Easy access
- Hazardous parking and ‘fast’ road to cross
Conger Alley Information
This dive site is on the west shore of Loch Long, diagonally opposite Arrochar, and just down from the Twin Piers dive site and the old torpedo testing station.
Site access to the loch-side is immediately opposite a solitary white house (as shown in the header photo) on a long, fast straight of the A83. A few cars can be carefully squeezed into the adjacent, narrow, roadside verge, but it’s potentially dangerous because of fast traffic. Marginally safer, is to park in the proper lay-by that’s nearby, although it requires a longer walk to the dive site, as well as still having to negotiate a safe road crossing.
Location Map and Directions
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Directions
Take the A82 along Loch Lomond to Tarbet, then continue onto the A83, passing through Arrochar and following the road round the head of Loch Long and down the west shore, passing the Twin Piers dive site on your left and shortly afterwards reaching Conger Alley. For safety, you may prefer to drive further down this road and turn your car at the entrance to Forest Holidays/Argyll Cabins before heading back the way you came in order to park. (As well as making it easier for driving home on this busy road.)
Dive Site Details
This area is suitable for all diving abilities, from trainee upwards.
The main reef is a boulder slope that provides lots of shelter for often abundant marine life, although how much life is actually visible will also be dependent upon the season and the conditions.
Your entry/exit point is marked by the big boulder on the shore.
There are alternative ways to dive this site, according to your ability and experience. Essentially though, you can head straight out, descending to your planned depth, then turning “left” and contouring along at your chosen depth until you pick-up the nearest edge of the reef. Depending upon your time, air and plan, you can continue across to the far side of the reef at this depth before zig-zagging progressively shallower, then contouring back along to the entry/exit point.
The underwater conditions you encounter at the time should influence how you interpret your plan. As usual, take ‘proper’ compass bearings, so you and your buddy have accurate points of reference, especially important for when you encounter poor visibility.
More experienced divers can go down to around 30 metres here, depending on the tide; if you’re one of them, you may pick-up the lower reef, before you then head shallower, cross a gap and then get to the upper reef.
Weather
BBC – Arrochar
BBC Area Inshore Forecast