Tongue - Wreck of the Ashbury

Launch from Tongue or Talmine

Steam ship ran into the reef north of Talmine during WW2, with heavy loss of life.

Forward section lies to the east of the reef, engines very close in to the North and the stern to the west of the reef.

Follow a gully through the reef from engines to stern on smooth days, another gully goes north from the engine to the boiler.

The gun has been removed and has lain in the pub garden for many years. Any ammo found is still viable, leave it where it is. Treat wreck as a war grave.

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  • The north of Rabbit islands are purported to have a wreck on them, I suspect it is the Ashbury miss-reported, however the northern island is called Eilain-nan-or, island of gold, and an Armada ship was supposed to have unloaded something in the area………

    About Rabbit Islands

  • The cave
    A shallow cave, mainly with clear surface runs into the north west of the island. The walls slope steeply, essentially a narrow gully but the angle makes it feel like a cave.

    The Venetian bridge

  • The Harbour at Talmine has a slipway suitable for launching small boats but it is very long and very steep. You often see people fishing from the rocks and as the harbour is normally very clean and sandy, it has been known for people to swim there when it is quiet, often using the harbour wall as a launching site when the tide is in!

  • Shore dive if you are prepared to climb the steep boggy slope, else launch at Portskerra slip.

    From the shore circumnavigate the stack in an anti-clockwise direction, you will find an 18 m gully leading to room sized cave with exit in the roof, then go west to drop into west side gully.

  • Arts and Crafts Shops/Galleries

    Kyle Gallery (Original Paintings), 1 Glebelands, Tongue. Tel: 611 231
    Weavers Craft ShopWoodend, Tongue. Tel: 611 288

    Bed and Breakfasts/Guest Houses

    Rhian Guest House Rhian Cottage, Tongue Tel: 611 257

  • The Rabbit Islands
    Bonnie Prince Charles was said to have lost a sailing ship, the "Hazard" on the Rabbit Islands! In 1745, a sailing ship carrying provisions and gold for the Prince ran aground here and the French Troops sent to recover them were captured by the Scots!

  • If you are a diver, call along to the club hut on a Tuesday or Thursday evening at 6.00pm or on Sunday at 10.00am. Caithness Diving Club is about 40 years old. Dive routinely around the north-eastern corner of the UK. Club hut is in Thurso. They have dive sites on the north and east coasts of Caithness.