Monday, 16 July 2012

Great Harbour - Greenock


A few images from Greenock's 'Great Harbour' this afternoon.

The Polish tug 'AGIS' arrived early this morning to escort 'Kommander Calum' for conversion work - she was previously named the 'SD Salmaid' and owned by Serco.

Tugs SD Dependable and SD Impulse moved the 'Kommandor Iona' earlier.

'Kommandor Calum' and Polish tug 'AGIS'

'Kommandor Calum' and Polish tug 'AGIS'  

'SD Dependable' Moving 'Kommandor Iona'
 
 SD Dependable

 SD Dependable

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

Thursday, 12 July 2012

PS Waverley 5 Island Cruise


 Today it was a trip 'Doon the Watter' on the PS Waverley.

It's been a few years since I was aboard but a tempting offer of a discount voucher paved the way for a great day out - and we were blessed with some wonderful sunshine,

The cruise started at Greenock and we departed right on time at 10:30 and headed to our first port of call - Helensburgh.

After picking up some passengers we sped off in the direction of Dunoon where we had the slightest of delay as we waited on a coach arriving.

Down the river and on to Rothesay and the sun was still holding despite a forecast of cloud.

Then it was across to Largs where a large crowd were waiting to embark, and this completed, we were Millport bound.

After Millport we headed past Little Cumbrae and on down to Brodick in Arran where a fair number disembarked for a few hours while others came aboard as we steamed on down past the Holy Isle to Pladda where we saw the Lighthouse dating from 1790.

Then we covered the route in reverse - still with the sun beating down - till we arrived back at Greenock at 21:30.

A long but very rewarding day on the river aboard the 'Waverley'.

PS Waverley Dining Area

PS Waverley Dining Area

 Engine Room

 Helensburgh to Pick Up Passengers

 Departing Helensburgh - Dunoon the Next Stop

 Heading Back after Visiting Pladda

 Passing Arran

 Holy Isle in the Distance

Seagull Balancing

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

Monday, 9 July 2012

Langbank Sunset


Sunset looked too inviting tonight not to take a hike over the back field to catch a few shots.

Cowal Hills Sunset from Langbank

 Cowal Hills Sunset from Langbank

Cowal Hills Sunset from Langbank

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

Sunday, 8 July 2012

Bo'ness & Kinneil Heritage Railway


After visiting the museum it was back to the railway station to catch the last arrival of the day.

It's a great facility and well worth your time and effort to make the journey through.

The staff are always friendly and helpful, and just a pity I missed the steam trains running earlier in the day.

 Bo'ness Station

 'Morayshire' Cooling Down

Booking Office

 Bo'ness Station

 BR Type 1 Bo-Bo D8020 (20020) Arrives

BR Type 1 Bo-Bo D8020 (20020) Built1959

Pooch Friendly Station

 Carriage Interior

 Carriage Interior

'Morayshire' Cooling Down Before Retiring to the Engine Shed

'Visit Scotland' at Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway

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

Museum of Scottish Railways


After 'Linlithgow Palace' went a run down to Bo'ness for the railway and just in the nick of time to catch the Museum before it closed.

With just a half hour it was a quick run around and grab a few shots before heading back to catch the last train of the day returning.

Will go back another day with a tripod.

 Museum of Scottish Railways 

 Snow Plough

Saxa Salt Wagon

 Royal Mail Coach

35 ton Bogie Rectank Wagon Army No. 84005

Signal
 
 Milk Urns

 Museum of Scottish Railways

4-4-0 Midland Compound Express Locomotive No 1000

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

Linlithgow Palace - Jousting


 My first - but will not be my last - visit to Linlithgow Palace to see the jousting.

Can't recommend this day enough. An hour of fun and excitement as the knights joust for superiority.

Must also say a word about the horses who behaved impeccably throughout the day.

We were fortunate with the weather and the surroundings were beautiful.

Knights Prepare to Joust
 
 Jousting Knights

 Jousting Knight

 Jousting Knight

 Down and Out

 Knight

 Jousting Knight

Where's My Lance?
 
 Joyful Knight

 Jousting Knight

 Off With His Head

 Jousting Knights

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

St Michael’s Parish Church - Linlithgow


Before visiting Linlithgow Palace I had a walk around St Michael’s Church and was rewarded with the sight of this magnificent church.

The church was dedicated or perhaps rededicated in 1242.

It has 'enjoyed' a varied history - being sacked by John Knox, used as a timber store, Oliver Cromwell stabled his horses here, and it is probable that Mary Queen of Scots was baptised in this parish church.

There is also the former lepers' squint to enable those poor unfortunates to see and hear the service from outside.

Well worth a visit and I know I'll be back again one day.

Approaching Linlithgow Palace with St Michael’s Kirk to the Right

St Michael’s Kirk

Stain Glass Window - St Michael’s Kirk

St Michael’s Kirk

 St Michael’s Kirk

Mary Queen of Scots Engraved on the Pulpit - St Michael’s Kirk

 St Michael’s Kirk

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