I'm in SSAC. There are many more branches of SSAC than BSAC in Scotland. I didn't notice at first you were living in Scotland, or I would have answered sooner. I live in Kilmarnock. In a dive branch the casual diving members often outnumber the regularly active divers sometimes 8 or 10 to 1. Many divers are not happy with their branch, or how their run, generally we call it politics. Whilst there are many very generous individuals in clubs, people are often unable to interact with one another, or are dissatisfied to the extent of reducing their association or leaving. BSAC, SSAC, SAA, all rely on constant recruitment to maintain numbers, expectation is a 25% turnover per annum. For a trainee a dive club is a cheap place for good basic training in local conditions and the loan of equipment. For someone like yourself its hard to see how branches without a compressor or boat offer value. Sometimes the office bearers of branches are not active divers and have far less experience than you. I have noticed other active experienced divers having problems joining a branch. Maybe because their knowledge and ability unsettles the status quo of the members and is resented. I recently saw a Padi instructor with mixed gas, re-breather and scuba technician experience rejected by a not very active branch D.O. There are many club officials, that give me the impression that far from trying to increase diving knowledge, retard and resent the efforts of those who intend going beyond the basic non deco sport level. Particularly active enthusiasts that have surpassed them and are still seeking development.