Freediving scallops galore! Scottish Highlands

Freediving for scallops in the Scottish Highlands.
We took a boat trip with a professional scallop diver, who specialises in sustainable harvest and ranching of the best seafood.
Diving in the clear waters of Scotland always reveals treasure. These scallops are the sweetest, fattest and best you will find anywhere.
This location is a scallop ranch - the area is protected and must not be fished without permission.

[@julianwilson6981]

Brilliant video.

[@sparker9309]

Us Wester-Wales divers rarely get viz that good, even in high summer! Gr8 little video and soundtrack. Bon-appetit! 🦞

[@tjashton]

Thanks! I live in East Scotland and it’s generally terrible vis. Worth the 5 hour drive up the wester Ross now and again!

[@lizardland]

Worth reminding people there's a 6 scallop per boat per day limit in Scotland if unlicensed. You still see people on dive charter boats that are unaware of it and end up having to dump their catch at the end of a dive. Otherwise, love these videos!

[@tjashton]

This was on a commercial fishing boat.

[@Brocheee]

I'm from patagonia and i am impressed by the similarities of the weather and visibility in this video. Over here generally it isn't very clear underwater but when it is you get this amazing feeling. I love to collect scallops, mussels and oysters. Keep on freediving!

[@tjashton]

Wow I’d love to visit Patagonia. Are you in Argentina or Chile? I know many parts of Chile from Chiloe up to Arica but I’ve never further south. I did a little freediving in Puerto Montt area and also around Antofagasta.

[@Brocheee]

@@tjashton Las Grutas in Río Negro province in Argentina.

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

Good going Tom

[@NorthWalesspearfishing]

nice one mate :D

[@skyespearfishing]

Really nice video Tom, Your right about the water temp it has really startes to drop off! Always good to get out in the water you remind me how lucky I am with the vis on the west coast most of the time being really good. 👍👌 keep it up 🌊

[@tjashton]

Thanks! Yeah at this time of year the East coast is impossible. Hopefully I have an essential work trip to the north west very soon!

[@skyespearfishing]

@@tjashton if you find yourswlf of Skye way and want a dive buddy lets us know i can take you to a scallop spot. 👍

[@norbertbobrowski5796]

nice

[@merelsmits3317]

Hi Tom, thats looks great. Do you know the name of the ranch? I'm going to west scotland this summer.

[@tjashton]

Unfortunately it’s private…protected by ‘Several Order’ so I would seriously advise against diving there. The former owner is my friend so I had his permission to dive - but he’s sold it on now, I believe. Lots of good natural spots to try, all up and down the west coast though. Good luck!

[@terrymahoney7219]

Hi Tom, excellent videos. Could I ask what camera you use ? Sent you a PM recently on messenger, had some previous contact with you years ago on a freediving forum about lobsters.

[@tjashton]

Hi Terry - thanks! This is shot on an old Gopro 7 with a scratched lens - hence the blurry patch in all shots. I use a big dome housing to get the split level effect. Did you pm on FB messenger?

[@immersediguana6196]

Hi Tom! What type of wetsuit do you use? Open-cell? 7mm?

[@tjashton]

Yes this is a Picasso 7mm open cell. Really good suit. I recently replaced it with 5mm pants with pisette and a 7mm mares jacket. Open cell too.

[@ALX-29]

Hi Tom , where ( what location ) you dive for scallops ?

[@tjashton]

These are actually in a private scallop ranch in Wester Ross - that why there’s so many there!

[@coastncountryedits680]

Hi Tom, do you have any tips on searching suitable areas to find scallops beds. I understand that water movement from tide is good but wave action not? In UK based but alot of open coast near me. Cheers

[@tjashton]

I’m not an expert. Most of my videos are shot in a private ranch where it’s super easy - with the owners permission. Generally you’re right about tides and wave action. Sea lochs are generally good. The main issue is finding a place where commercial fisherman haven’t cleaned it all out!

[@coastncountryedits680]

@@tjashton These private ranches sound great if you can get in one 😆 I've managed to find scallops before, visiting Skye and the location was a sea loch type set up. However, they still elude me in Wales.