Our fast charter boat, Mary Doune was purpose built to carry twelve guests on day trips, or six on liveaboard cruises.
Fast, seaworthy and highly maneouvrable, she was designed for use in the Hebrides and especially for getting to those beautiful places which are inaccessible in any other way. She is fitted with radio, VHF, dGPS, radar, depth sounder and all navigation gear. Mary Doune is fitted with twin Cummins 315hp diesel engines, giving her a cruising speed of over 18 knots. She was built to DoT specifications and complies with MCA safety regulations.

Diving from Doune
Shore based charter is for eight to twelve guests, staying at Doune Bay Lodge , but can also be arranged from other bases around the Hebrides.
A 25 mile day range gives ample opportunity to explore the area. From Doune the area includes the islands of Rum, Eigg, Canna , Muck and southern Skye, as well as some very remote mainland coastline; the finest combination of sea and mountain scenery anywhere in Scotland.

Doune is an ideal centre for diving. Some of the finest scenic sites in the country are within our daytrip range. Huge walls, colourful reefs, peaceful bays, bountiful wildlife or adrenalin pumping drifts, what's your fancy? The famous wreck of the Port Napier is less than an hour away.
Visibility is usually excellent, 8-10m is about average, 20+m is not uncommon.

With twin screws and powerful engines, the skipper can put Mary Doune on top of the most difficult of sites. Passages are short (usually 1 hour, max 2 hours) giving plenty of time for dives with a decent interval between. Time between dives is spent in sheltered anchorages where you can explore ashore or just relax (hot drinks provided) while we charge your bottles.
There is a 19cfm compressor on board and a 35cfm one onshore. A wide, spacious deck makes kitting up easy and safe.

For fully catered parties of between 8 and 12 we offer a sliding scale of charges - see our 2008 price list.

For somebody elses opinion on diving from Doune, have a look at this Divernet article.

It is also possible to charter Mary Doune for daily diving within a 25 mile radius of another shore base, such as Eigg, Skye or the Outer Hebrides. We are able to help with finding accommodation ashore if you require.

Hebridean cruises
Cruises are for parties of 6 divers living on board, with a different anchorage every night. Accommodation is compact, limited by the size and speed of the boat. There are 6 berths in the forepeak.
A large wheelhouse serves as a day cabin and includes the galley. Toilet, handbasin and shower are located to the rear of the wheelhouse. The spacious deck can be covered with an awning in poor weather. To see a layout of the boat and some more ideas on what you will need to bring with you, see Mary Dounes deck plan.
Meals are provided to suit appetites sharpened by the sea air.
We dive anywhere in the Hebrides, from Coll and Tiree northwards. The weather will dictate, the actual sites visited, but the Hebrides always provide a sheltered option, and with Mary Doune's speed and seaworthiness, we very, very rarely miss a dive. This area definately offers the best scenic diving in the UK.

Diving prices for 2008, for both shorebased and cruises.

We will happily cooperate with any specific sites you would like to visit, get in touch to discuss your ideas.

We do not supply gear. The nearest places to hire equipment are Oban or Glasgow. Divers and clubs are responsible for their own underwater safety.

Many of our visiting divers and clubs have excellent websites, click on them and have a look.

Leamington and Warwick BSAC.
Newbury SAC.
Viking Divers SAA.
West Lothian SAC.
Jim Anderson's site. An excellent collection of photos and information for Nudibranch enthusiasts.
Ian Whittaker's site. Ian is the author of Off Scotland a detailed and highly researched book of marine and aviation losses around Scotland.
Marine wildlife - Paul Kay - underwater photographer.
WA marine - Mark Woombs - marine biologist and littoral surveyor.

For other diving links, including dive shops, diving associations, the weather, local history, and what else is happening in the Hebrides, see our links page.

Guests on Mary Doune get to see a wide variety of wildlife at close quarters, from whales, dolphins and basking sharks to red deer, eagles and otters. If you would like to find out more about what we see, take our Hebridean wildlife tour.

All photographs on this site were taken at Doune and around the islands of the Hebrides.