Saturday 31 August 2013

Beacon Arts Centre - First Beam of Light Celebration


The delayed launch of hundreds of paper boats made by schoolchildren in Clydeside took place in Greenock today as a homage to internationally renowned Scottish artist George Wyllie. 

The young people, aged 4-18 spent the last six months of 2012 studying the work of the late George Wyllie - one of Inverclyde's most famous residents - as part of the Whysman Festival 2013. 

 The launch of the boats – dubbed The Origami Fleet – was due to take place on Hogmanay last year at The Riverside Museum in Glasgow, but had to be postponed due to high winds. 

 The paper boat fleet, made by school pupils studying the work of the Glasgow born artist as part of the George Wyllie Education Initiative, as launched in the Firth of Clyde just beyond Custom House Quay in Greenock, where Wyllie was based for many years. 

 Pupils from 10 local authorities involved in the initiative attended the launch of the Origami Fleet, which was sent on its way by Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.  
Following Mr Russell's speech, pupils from four participating primary schools sang George Wyllie's 'Paper Boat Song'. The four schools were from Inverclyde and Renfrewshire.

Lone piper, Stuart McMillan MSP, played The Skye Boat Song as the boats were scattered in the Firth of Clyde ifrom the tug 'Anglegarth'. 

The fire protection boat set of its water cannons as the paper boats hit the water and foghorn blared out over the water. 

The launch was part of the new Beacon Arts Centre’s First Beam of Light celebration, an afternoon of free arts activities, including workshops, exhibitions, street theatre, live debate, bands, choirs and a ceilidh.


Beacon Arts Centre on Custom House Quay from the River

The Question Mark


Schools Choir Entertain


'Swans' Procession


'Swans' Procession


A 'Swan' Bids Farewell


'Swans' Farewell to the Paper Boat Fleet


Paper Boats are Scattered from the Tug 'Anglegarth'.


Foghorn is Sounded Aboard the Anglegarth


A Few of the Origami Paper Fleet

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

Barge Move - Inchinnan Bascule Bridge


This morning we witnessed another section bound for the wind farms.

The section was loaded on to a barge and the tugs 'Biter' and 'Beaver Bay' assisted in the move as it progressed down the River Cart and underneath the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge, and then on down to the River Clyde.

The tow will be taken over by another tug - the 'Osprey Fighter' - for the long sail round to Methil in Fife.


Barge and Load Approach the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge


Barge Passes Under the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge


 Barge and Load Pass Under the Bridge


'Biter' Assists the Barge and Load Pass Under the Bridge

Barge and Load Pass Under the Bridge 

 The Wind Farm Structure Heads to the Clyde


A Tight Squeeze at the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge

'Beaver Bay' Assists the Move

'Beaver Bay' Assists the Move

Nervous Moments as Barge Inches Past the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge

'Beaver Bay' Assists the Move

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

Thursday 29 August 2013

'Osprey Fighter' Towing the Barge 'Stemat 86'


The 'Osprey Fighter' arrived in the Clyde today.

She was towing a barge from Rotterdam to the River Cart upriver.

The barge will be loaded with structures for the Wind Farms and transported South.

My last sighting of her was in 2008.

'Osprey Fighter' - Passing Port Glasgow

 'Osprey Fighter' - Passing Port Glasgow

'Osprey Fighter' - Passing Port Glasgow

'Osprey Fighter' Towing the Barge 'Stemat 86' - Passing Port Glasgow

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

Monday 26 August 2013

Day Trip to Oban


Been trying to get a day up in Oban for ages now and finally managed today.

The pics tell the story but there are also a few around Arrochar on the drive up and on the return.

Looking Back at Arrochar

 Connel Bridge

'Sound Diver' Departs from Oban Bay

Maya Enjoys Her Day in Oban


 'Isle of Mull' in Oban Bay

 'Isle of Mull' Departing Oban


  'Isle of Mull' Departing Oban


'Isle of Mull' Departing Oban


'Isle of Mull' Heads to Sea


Oban Sea Traffic


Ferries Passing


'Lord of the Isles' Arriving in Oban

'Lord of the Isles' Arriving in Oban

'Lord of the Isles' Arriving in Oban

Puffin Diving Centre


Highland Home


Torpedo Station Remains - Arrochar


Torpedo Station Remains -Arrochar


CalMac Ferries Video

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

Saga Sapphire Cruise Ship at Greenock


Yet another early morning start to catch a few photos of the 'Saga Sapphire' as she arrived and berthed in Greenock this morning.

This is her first visit and arrived just before 08:00.

She is operated by Saga Cruises and can carry around 700 passengers.

She came down from Tobermory and will be heading to Douglas on the Isle of Man when she departs this evening.



Morning Has Broken

 Saga Sapphire Arrives


Saga Sapphire  Prepares to Cant


  Saga Sapphire Cants Before Berthing

 Saga Sapphire Berths at Greenock Ocean Terminal

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

Friday 23 August 2013

Around Inverclyde


A small pleasure cruiser - 'Gralian' - had gone upriver to Glasgow.

As I hadn't seen her in the Clyde before I was quite keen to get a photo as she departed.

It was a nice sunny day so managed to get a few more images before I headed home.

Looking East to Port Glasgow


Inchgreen Cranes - Kingston, Port Glasgow


 The 'Perch' at Great Harbour in Greenock


'Gralian' Passing Customhouse Quay in Greenock

'Gralian' Passing Customhouse Quay in Greenock

Clyde Coastguard Vehicle on Greenock Esplanade

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.