Scotland Boat Show - 2014

Went along to the Scotland Boat Show this afternoon at the Kip Marina in Inverkip.

The event ran over three days with a variety of entertainments for the visitors.

We were treated to an acrobatic flying display, wet jets performing their stuff, a pipe band, some expensive automobiles, the Inverclyde Rock Choir, and much more besides.

An enjoyable afternoon and it also stayed dry.

Messing About on the River

 Air Display

 RAF Tutor Aircraft

 Flying Overhead

 Wet Jets

 Mascot

Mclaren Sports Car

Isle of Cumbrae Pipe Band 

 Piper

I Can Fly

Wet Dive

Inverclyde Rock Choir

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

Rhu Spit Activity

I arrived nice and early to get some shots of the outbound US Navy Virginia Class submarine.

The heavens opened and the rain came down heavy as I parked - not encouraging.

Fortunately the shower passed and I made my way down to the beach at Rhu Spit.

She left as expected and I then stayed on to catch the Belgian minesweeper coming in to berth at the Faslane Naval Base.

Also managed a few shots as the light changed as the sun mace up over the marina.


 Early Morning

 MOD Police Security RHIB 

 SD Clyde Racer - Pilot Cutter

 US Navy Submarine Departing

 US Navy Submarine Departing

 Keeping Watch

Eyes Peeled

 Passing the Rhu Narrow

 SD Resourceful in Attendance

 Outward Bound

Sun Breaking through

Coming Up Together 

BNS Crocus Inbound


Faslane Bound

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

HMS Ambush Returns from Patrol

HMS Ambush arrived back at her home base this afternoon from patrol.

Family and friends were out in numbers at Rhu Spit to give welcoming waves and cheers as she passed.

The Serco tugs SD Resourceful and SD Dependable escorted her up the Gareloch to the Faslane Naval Base where she safely berthed at the jetty.

Family and Friends Welcome Home

Serco Tugs Escort to Faslane Naval Base

 SD Resourceful Escorts

 Passing Rhu

 Friendly Waves


Passing the Spit

 Heading to Faslane

 Progressing Up the Gareloch

 Faslane in Sight

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

Millport Visit

We expected the Joint Warrior NATO vessels to depart the Clyde today, but the force 10 gale forecast for the Minch had other ideas.

However the USNS Kanawha berth at Loch Striven was brave enough to take on the challenge and she departed around 16:00.

The dilemma was how to get some half decent photos as Loch Striven is not exactly an easy location to get to by car.

Opted to drive to Largs but too far to get anything worthwhile in poor light. The answer was to get the ferry to the Isle of Cumbrae and then the bus to Millport.

After that it was good old Shank's pony and about a mile walk around the tip of the island to get a reasonable location.

After securing the shots it was the reverse journey, so all in all a long day, and not what I expected when I left home.

 Millport Harbour

 Bus Turning Point

 Beach Shelter

Passing Cumbrae

Heading Down the Channel

 Passing Arran

 Rock Pool

 Beach

Rocks and Sea

 Converted Fisherman's Cottage

Waiting for the Bus to the Ferry

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

Bulk Carrier 'Sun Vil II' Passing Greenock

The bulk carrier 'Sun Vil II' passed Greenock this afternoon as she made her way upriver to KGV docks.

Managed a few shots after watching the Danish warship also head to Glasgow earlier.

 'Sun Vil II' Approaching Greenock

 'Anglegarth' assisting 'Sun Vil II ' Upriver

  'Anglegarth' Assisting

 Passing Custom House Quay

Glasgow Bound

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