River Clyde

Please notice new link for Breast Cancer.
Clicking will cost you nothing but time.
It just might save a life.
You can click once per day.

In order to go on the Waverley sail, we had crossed over the Clyde from Gourock to Dunoon on the Cal-Mac car ferry. The following three photographs were taken from the ferry Jupiter as we sailed back from Dunoon to Gourock in the gathering dusk.

This is a picture of the opposition Western Ferries boat with the Holy Loch in the background.

Looking over the stern of the Jupiter to see the sun setting over Argyll.

A picture in the fading evening light of the tranquil entrance to Loch Long.

Scenery in Loch Long and Loch Goil

I said in yesterday's posting that I'd publish some photos from the sail on the Waverley up Loch Long and Loch Goil.

The weather was very overcast for most of the sail, but there was no rain and the lighting effects were superb. I think Scotland is at it's most dramatically beautiful when the clouds are low over the hills.


The first photo is over over the stern of the Waverley as we drew away from Blairmore.
Then on to a view of the slopes above Loch Long.

The lighting in this shot looking back down the upper stretch of Loch Long was spectacular.

As was the light on the hills to the west.

This is a view of Carrick Castle on the western shore of Loch Goil. It is believed to have been built in the 12th century, but it is likely that the present Carrick Castle is the second structure to occupy this location. The first may have been a hunting lodge for the kings of Scots. It is recorded that Mary, Queen of Scots visited here in 1563. A Campbell stronghold for over three hundred years, it was captured during the Argyll’s rebellion, by Atholl. The victors pillaged and burned it and completely destroyed it by fire in 1685. It is now owned by Alex Fleming who has undertaken its restoration.
The sun broke through for a short period at the head of Loch Goil.

The is looking down Loch Goil towards Loch Long.

Paddle Steamer Waverley

On Saturday we went for a sail on the Waverley, the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world, during her 60th anniversary celebrations.

She sails between April and October in different places around the United Kingdom, including her home station on the Firth of Clyde, the Western Isles of Scotland, South Coast of England, the Bristol Channel and the River Thames.

She is powered by a 2,100 horse power triple expansion diagonal steam engine, and has two bars, a restaurant, a tea-bar and carries up to 800 passengers. She does not have passenger berths.

I've included a series of photos of the vessel in this post and I'll post some of the scenic ones tomorrow.

This is her coming down the River Clyde from Kilcreggan towards Blairmore Pier.
Arriving at the pier...
Yet closer.....
Moored.....
A view of the engines...
And of a paddlewheel in motion...
And of the engine again...
And of the effect of the paddle...
And, finally, moored back at Blairmore..