Sunday 29 March 2015

Stirling Castle


The weather being fairly poor a visit to Stirling Castle seemed a good choice.

I visited in 2012 with the promise to return - and here I am.

This is a wonderful attraction with plenty to see - and complimented with very helpful and informative staff.

Historic Scotland do a fantastic job with their properties and I'm always impressed with the staff.

Their membership is in my opinion extremely good value.

The castle was well worth the second visit and I'm sure I'll return again.

 Stirling Castle 


Canon

Wall Display

 Chapel Royal


Chapel Royal


Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Colours


 Armour


 Castle Guide


 Stain Glass Window


 Stirling Heads


 Stirling Castle

 Dining Room in Museum


 Military Exhibit


Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle

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

Monday 23 March 2015

Greenock Docks


A bitter and windy day today but at least the sun was shining.

A few vessels exited the Garvel dry dock after noon, and the 'MV Saturn' re-entered the dry dock for some more TLC.

Later in the day the 'Stavros S Niarchos' departed the James Watt Dock and returned after successful sea trials.

'Sound of Soay' Heads for Sea Trials 

'MV Lochinvar' Heading in to James Watt Dock


 'Stavros S Niarchos' and 'SD Eva' pass on the Clyde

'MV Saturn' at Garvel Dry Dock


'MV Saturn' entering Garvel Dry Dock

 'Stavros S Niarchos' at James Watt Dock

 'Stavros S Niarchos'

'Stavros S Niarchos' canting at James Watt Dock

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

Sunday 22 March 2015

Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway


A nice day trip through to Bo'ness today.

This was the first day of the trains running this season at Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway.

National Coal Board (NCB) locomotive No 19 had her first trip out after the winter renovations and looked great.

Fortunate to see the 'Royal Scotsman' diesel locomotive as she departed, and also diesel locomotive 20 020 stationed at the platform in Bo'ness.

Birkhill station has had a makeover and change of colour scheme to the style of the 'Caledonian Railway' and the volunteers are to be commended for their hard work.

All in all a rewarding day and nice to see some familiar faces while chatting to the volunteers.


 NCB No19 approaching Kinneil Halt

 Diesel Locomotive '47851' at Bo'ness Station

 Diesel Locomotive 20 020 at  Bo'ness Station

 Steamin'

Bo'ness Station


Platform on Birkhill Station

 Birkhill Station

Timetable at Birkhill Station

 NCB No19 arriving at Birkhill Station

Arriving at Birkhill Station

 Smoke and Steam


Ready for Departure from Birkhill Station

 Uncoupling

Driver of NCB No19 at Bo'ness Station

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

Saturday 21 March 2015

Mississippi Star


A nice sunny spell as the oil tanker 'Mississippi Star' passes Dumbarton and Langbank on her way out to see.

 Passing Dumbarton Rock

Passing Langbank

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

Friday 20 March 2015

Solar Eclipse from Langbank



Today was the day we have been anticipating and it's received much in the way of publicity from the media.

Billed as the best solar eclipse in years I personally found it quite disappointing.

Throughout Britain the eclipse reached at least 83% with the darkness peaking around 09:35 -  variations depending on your actual location.

For me it didn't darken much at all and I was expecting it to get quite dark.

These images were taken with 400mm zoom lens and cropped. I used the Lee 'Big Stopper' filter to achieve a dark image and detail as best I could the passage of the moon across the sun.

We will not see another solar eclipse on this scale again until 2026.




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

Wednesday 18 March 2015

Glencoe Visit - Second This Year


After the last visit to the Glencoe area there was still much to see and visit.

Three of us travelled up this time - all armed with tripods and cameras.

We stopped off at a few locations as we headed for our intended destination - the Devil's Staircase.

After completing our walk - which included me falling through a snow hole and ending up with drenched boots - we headed over to Loch Tulla to catch the sunset before heading home.

Another visit is already in the pipeline.


Ben Dorain

Lochan na h-Achlaise


 Lochan na h-Achlaise


Lochan na h-Achlaise

 Pheasant


 Deer


 Eddie and John


View from the Devil's Staircase

 Looking Up the Glencoe Road


 View from the Devil's Staircase


Snow Hole

 View from the Devil's Staircase


View from the Devil's Staircase


View from the Devil's Staircase


Loch Tulla at Sunset

 Loch Tulla at Sunset


Loch Tulla at Sunset

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