They range from a 17th-century Scottish war-ship, sent by Oliver Cromwell to stamp out Royalist resistance, to a Clyde-built Cunard liner converted into an aircraft carrier in the First World War.
Seven sites of historic shipwrecks off the Scottish coast have been earmarked for inclusion in the Scottish Government's proposed new Historic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs.
It follows the urgent designation of a shipwreck off the north-west Sutherland coast.
The well-preserved remains of a 17th or early 18th-century merchant ship were found close to the harbour of Drumbeg by a scallop diver.
Historic Scotland's marine archaeologists visited the site and concluded the wreck is an asset of national importance meriting protection.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, has outlined a further six proposals for Historic MPAs around Scotland's coast.
They are currently safeguarded by the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 and will have this protection transferred to the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 – the first time the MPA powers of this Act have been used.
The 2010 Act allows for the conservation of Scotland's outstanding marine, natural and cultural her-itage through a network of protected areas.
The protection afforded by the Historic MPA designation can be used to safeguard individual wrecks of national importance, or a group of sites such as an important fleet anchorage or a battle site.
The agency will launch a consultation on all seven proposed Historic MPAs to seek public opinion.
Ms Hyslop said: "It is important to safeguard our most important underwater heritage sites in the seas around Scotland and I am pleased to announce our first Historic MPAs as a first step to achieving that aim."
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