HMS Bulwark - Glasgow Departure

After her weekend berthed at the Shieldhall Quay in Glasgow HMS Bulwark departed this morning.

After the trip upriver in heavy rain it was with relief we finally got a break in the weather.

All went smoothly as she was taken off the wall and canted.

Off she went to sea for her next adventure.


Berthed at Shieldhall Quay


Taking the Ropes

 Svitzer Tugs Assisting

 A Busy Bridge

Canting Begins


 Taking the Strain

Communications on the Bridge


Passing Braehead

 Passing Rothesay Dock

Titan Crane in the Background


 Ropes Slipped

 Head On

Passing Bowling 

Passing Dumbarton

Heading Out to Sea

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

HMS Bulwark - Glasgow Visit

HMS Bulwark is one of Royal Navy's Albion-Class assault ships and is designed to put Royal Marines ashore by both air and sea.

She celebrated her 11th Birthday yesterday, and arrived in the River Clyde this morning where she  travelled up to Glasgow.

She will be docked there over the weekend and depart on Monday.

A bitterly cold morning but worth the very early start to see her arrive.

She is an impressive looking vessel.

 Approaching Braehead


Passing Braehead

Landing Craft

Upper Decks

 Bound for Shieldhall Quay

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

Vintage Bus Trip

I attended the 'Ships Ahoy' event at the Glenlee sailing ship today, and part of the day was allocated to two MacBrayne's buses.

The owners - who were also the drivers - kindly made their vehicles and services available to give us a trip around Glasgow.

I was only on the one myself - and the owner Martin was very courteous and took the time to discuss aspects of the bus and it's history.

I really enjoy days like this - a true link with our past - and we can enjoy the nostalgia with a real journey.

 Leaving Riverside Museum

 Passengers Who Hopefully Enjoyed Their Trip

 Dashboard with Clock

 Martin - Our Driver

 Peaked Hat


Reflections of Our Driver

Driver's Seat

 Waiting on the Next Bus

 Bedford C5Z1

Maudslay Marathon III - 1949 Vintage

Arriving Back at Riverside Museum

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

Joint Warrior Arrivals Today

Not too much activity today but we did see a few arrivals for the first upcoming Joint Warrior military exercise of this year.

Favoured with dry weather it was still quite windy and cold.

First stop was Rhu at the Gareloch to catch HMS Bulwark arrive.

Then on down to Kilcreggan to see what may be coming upriver.

Finally across to Greenock to get a few images of the two at anchor.

Tomorrow looks to be a busier day - albeit an early start and weather forecast for more of the same.

Approaching Rhu Narrows

Bound for Faslane Naval Base

SD Resourceful and HMS Bulwark Faslane Bound

  HMS Bulwark

 HMS Bulwark and SD Resourceful

HNLMS Van Speijk passing Gourock Inbound

 HNLMS Van Speijk off Greenock Esplanade

 HMS Kent at Anchor

Scheduled to Tow Target

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

Vintage Buses - Glasgow

Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust were running some bus services in the city today - at a very generous price of 'Free'.

Many thanks go to the volunteers and drivers who made this day possible.

Albion Viking VK43AL Bus - George Square

Eastern Scottish Double Decker Bus - Glasgow

Eastern Scottish Double Decker Bus - Glasgow

Highland Omnibus Logo - Glasgow

Albion Viking VK43AL Bus - Glasgow

Busy Vintage Bus - Glasgow

1954 Leyland Titan Double Decker Bus - George Square

Vintage Bus and Driver

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