HMS Westminster Departs

A wet morning with poor visibilty and rain doesn't make for ideal images.

However, here's a few as HMS Westminster departed the Clyde.

HMS Westminster with Condor Escorting

MOD Police Boat Condor Battles the Waves

HMS Westminster on Her Way

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

HMS Queen Elizabeth - First Clyde Visit

Picking up on my Blog after a long absence.

Very early start this morning to ensure I was in good positions to get shoreside images.

Light couldn't have been better making things more enjoyable.

Berthing at Glen Mallan Jetty

Approaching Glen Mallan

Approaching Cove

Passing Innellan

Passing Cloch Lighthouse

Tugs in Attendance

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

HMS Forth - Heads to Fitting Out After Launch

The (HMS) Forth departed the KGV docks today having been floated off the barge yesterday.

She was towed to Yarrow's dock and will be there for around seven months while she is fitted out.

She will then begin sea trials.


First Taste of the River


Making Her Way Downriver


Tugs Escorting

Passing Braehead

On Her Way

Pilot and Yard Workers

 Entering Yarrow's Dock

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

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.

Busy Day - Military Shipping in Scotland

Early start and drove over to Glen Mallan in time to see HMS Iron Duke arrive in lovely sunshine.

A quick drive down to the Gareloch and lucky enough to catch the German U-Boat as she came back in to Faslane after the Joint Warrior exercise.

Time for home and pleased to have caught both vessels in pleasant weather.

Decided to take another run across in the afternoon and again was lucky as an American submarine was departing.

Transpired that she was the USS Dallas - the submarine featured in the movie "The Hunt for Red October".

A very early build of the Los Angeles class and very probably one we'll not see here again - but then who really knows.

 Arriving at Loch Long

Bridge Activity


 Tug Assistance

 Helicopter in Hanger

 Approaching the Jetty

Beautiful Setting at Glen Mallon

U 34 Heading for Faslane Naval Base

Navigating the Gareloch

 Faslane Bound

Busy Office

Heading Out 

Bound for Sea

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

HMS Gannet - Farewell Flight

HMS Gannet's search and rescue helicopters had their final farewell flypast over Scotland today and passed Faslane Naval Base on the route.

Here are a few images from above the Naval Base.

 SD Reliable Prepares Her Salute

 Three Sea Kings Approach

 Flying Past Faslane Naval Base

 Overhead at Faslane

Passing the Base

 Heading Off

Bound for Tyndrum

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