St. Abbs has one of the few marine reserves that can be found in the UK. It is just over the Scottish border on the East coast and we have been known to do this one as a day trip. The diving is suitable for all grades of diver and there is often plenty to see on these dives on account of it being a marine reserve.

There are several grouper that come bombing over to greet you as you approach and expect to be fed. Indeed, some are so tame that they will let you touch them without them backing off - as long as they are being fed. We have never taken any food in for the fish but they do seem to like an urchin being broken up for them to tuck into.

As well as the marine life, there is the renowned Cathedral Rock. This is part of an underwater ridge and it has a huge archway through it along with a smaller tunnel above it. This looks spectacular, especially on a sunny day. A lot of the diving around here can be done as a shore dive but, it's so much easier from a RIB.

A bit of excitement in 2001. The boat broke down with a pair of divers in the water. The divers surfaced to find themselves picked up by the St. Abbs inshore lifeboat. The boat was towed back into the harbour but was unrepairable on site. Wall diving for the rest of the weekend.

Many thanks to the RNLI for that one. A collection was taken among the divers and a donation made to the RNLI.