A recent visit to Culzean Country Park provided me with an opportunity to re-visit the site of a shipwreck just south of the famous and ever popular Culzean Castle. I first stumbled across the wreck in the late 70’s when on a field trip from Glasgow School of Art. Since then we have visited the wreck on a number of occasions, mainly by boat, but it is possible to stay dry and walk to the location and see what’s left in the inter tidal zone.
Firstly, time your visit for low water to get the best out of your efforts. The map below gives an approximate location and some guidance on quickest route from the castle. Other routes are available, most along the beach which is a rock platform and can in places be very slippery when wet. If you are at all unsure on your feet this is perhaps not for you. As a last resort a pair of binoculars from the cliff top footpath(6) is an option.
So what is the wreck? Well, it is the remains of a steam trawler named Clyro that ran aground here in 1935. Fortunately the crew all landed safe and sound….. but the Clyro did not. Badly holed, she was written off as a constructive total loss and de-registered in October 1935.
The wreckage above water is fairly sparse, and consist of sections of hull plating at various locations, the most recognisable item is the floor of the wheelhouse. The stern section which comprises the engine, rudder, propellor parts and the boiler lie slightly offshore directly out from the wheelhouse floor in 3-4 metres of water, the boiler does break surface at low water on spring tides.
The Wheelhouse Floor – 2022.
Further information on the Clyro can be found here . Visiting the wreck can be a short diversion as part of a full day outing to the Culzean Country Park which is run by the National Trust for Scotland. For more information follow this link
Leave a Reply