Hi Aquamore,
Regarding sites, I dive Loch Long quite a lot because it is well sheltered. Perhaps you know Ali's reef, the Caves, and Finnart.
I like Cumbrae, in the Clyde, you never know what you will see there, seals, swans, ferret, porpoise, it makes a goood day out. Triple reefs, at Otter Ferry in Loch Fyne is better but much further way, there are many big scallops and massive crabs. Oban and the wrecks in the Sound of Mull, are even better but now we are talking weekends. Have you dived under the Connel bridge, or the Gravelacks? The colours on the Hispania make it a spectacular wreck. I like to feed the wrasse, on some dives they are as curious and friendly as pets and the colours; for those who only live on the surface believe me, there is a different rainbow down there. Its cold and dark and often raining, when I start out, and you must be crazy to go out diving in this weather.
As you know there are some very good deep wrecks here in tri-mix country. There are so many recorded wrecks that it would take a lifetime to dive them all. I'm building up experience and slowly getting the kit together, and pursuing the training.
The vis is sometimes less than 6ft and the water temp can drop below 5 deg C, yet they are all good dives and some of them were great, the wonder joy and excitement have been worth ten times the discomfort, and the money I have spent, is meaningless.
Regards,
Budgy.