Queen Mary 2 Departs Greenock with Fireworks

The Cunard cruise ship 'Queen Mary 2' departed Greenock last night with a send off from the local townsfolk - and a few fireworks.

Her visit was part of Cunard's 175 Anniversary Cruise and she's now bound for Oban.

It was good to see so many packing the Greenock Esplanade - more so with the forecast of rain.

Very fortunate that the rain stayed away on the night.

A moving vessel proves a tricky situation with long exposures to capture the fireworks, so not ideal for photographers.

If I'm candid it wasn't the most spectacular display I've attended, but I've attempted to make the most of what was available.

 Preparing to Depart

 Night Sky Lights Up

 Townsfolk Take in the Spectacle

 Moving off the Berth

 Sky Lights Up

 Colourful

 Well on Her Way

Oban Bound

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

Sunday Pursuits

Sunday morning breaks to the forecasted poor weather, but there is some activity in the area today.

The cruise ship 'MSC Splendida' arrived very, very early at around 06:30 so despite being up and about I couldn't manage down to Greenock in time for her arrival.

Next on the agenda was the 'Royal Scotsman' tour that would be travelling through Inverclyde to stable at Gourock for the afternoon.

As there was an embargo on West Coast Railway pending safety checks we are being treated to some unusual traction. The embargo has been lifted so we will be back to 'business as usual' next week.

The same Class 66 diesel as last weekend brought the tour down, and we were treated to loco '66721' coming later in the day with her unusual livery.

Much standing about in the cold and wet, but that's what brings the rewards of getting some usable images.

'66735' Thunders through Greenock Central Station

 'MSC Splendida' berthed at Greenock Ocean Terminal

'66721'  Passing Fort Matilda Station

'Royal Scotsman' awaits  '66721' in Heavy Rain

 '66721' couples with the 'Royal Scotsman'

'66721' hauls the 'Royal Scotsman' through Fort Matilda Station

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

PS Waverley - Lochranza Cruise

Today saw me drive to Glasgow and board the paddle steamer Waverley for the start of a cruise to Lochranza.

Weather was a bit chilly at the start and overcast. It was only at the start of the evening that we got a nice bit of sunshine.

Overall the cruise was very good and I am a big fan of the Waverley, seeing her as an icon of the Clyde in the summer months.

The edge was taken off with who I think was the chief engineer. It wasn't so much that he objected to appearing in one of my photographs, but the way way in which he both expressed and animated himself.

Wouldn't have minded but he was only a very small part of the photograph, and as the engine room is always busy and lots of photos being taken I couldn't really understand his issue with me.

Such is life, but it was very off putting on the day.

We returned to Glasgow as the summer sun was setting and gave the opportunity for some nice shots.

The ticket machine at the Science Centre suffered a malfunction so after a bit if a delay the staff finally agreed to open the barriers and let us all get on the road to our respective homes.

 Departing from Glasgow

'Glenlee' at the Museum of Transport

Passengers on the Upper Deck

Approaching Customhouse Quay at Greenock

 Engine Room

Coiled

 Approaching Largs Pier

Ladies Day Out

 Berthing at Rothesay

Leaving Rothesay

 Below Decks

Side View

 Souvenir Shop

 Dining Room

Passengers on Deck

Tied Up at Lochranza

 Lochranza Pier

 Loch Tarbert Docking

 Isle of Arran

Approaching Lochranza 


Ventilator Shaft

 Yachts Racing off Tighnabruaich

Lochranza

 Leaving Lochranza

Following Seagull


Titan Crane is Setting Sun 


Safely Berthed as the Sun Sets

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

'Mein Schiff 1' - at Greenock Esplanade

The cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 1' came to Greenock today.

I managed a few shots as she departed in the early evening.

SD Northern River was also on passage from Faslane to Greenock.

'Mein Schiff 1' at Greenock Esplanade

'Mein Schiff 1' Departing Greenock

'Mein Schiff 1' 

 'Mein Schiff 1' off Greenock Esplanade

'Mein Schiff 1' off Greenock Esplanade

SD Norther River

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

Queen Mary 2 - Greenock Visit

Cunard's only visit to Greenock this year came in the majestic shape of 'Queen Mary 2'.

As always she drew large enthusiastic crowds - even as early as 07:00 - as photographers gathered at a variety of locations along the river.

I was fortunate enough to be able to get some quayside shots as she berthed at the Greenock Ocean Terminal.

I can vouch for the friendly welcome that the passengers received as they disembarked to sample the delights of Scotland, and the Inverclyde area.

And as she departed, once again huge crowds assembled at Greenock Esplanade to wave her off as she headed for Dublin, the next port on her itinerary.

Passing Gourock on Arrival

Arriving at Greenock

Canting Before Berthing

A Good Greenock Welcome

Pipe Band Gives the First Taste of Scotland

Almost Berthed

A Scottish Welcome

Safely Berthed

Bridge

Securing the Gangway

Quayside Work

Stern View

Stern View

Dressing the Gangway

Queen Mary 2

Departing the Ocean Terminal

Tug 'Anglegarth' Gives a Spectacular Goodbye at Departure

'Queen Mary 2' Visits Greenock - 2013 from Dougie Coull on Vimeo.

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