The Scottish Trossachs

The Trossachs is the area straddling the boundary between the Highlands and the Lowlands of Scotland.

Trossachs Pass begins at the west end of Loch Achray and leads through a narrow opening to the pier at Loch Katrine.

Loch Katrine is owned by Scottish Water and is the primary water reservoir for much of the city of Glasgow delivering up to 50,000,000 gallons per day.

As oil-fired vessels are not permitted to sail its waters due to the danger of pollution, the biodiesel fuelled steam-powered boat - Sir Walter Scott - offers a tourist attraction between Trossachs Pier and Stronachlachar during the summer months.

Winter View

Lady of the Lake

Sir Walter Scott

Solemn

Road to Stronachlachar

Geese

Looking Back

Which Way to Go?

Milky Stream

Wet and Slippery

Looking Back to Trossachs Pier

Backdrop to Sir Walter Scott

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

(HMS) Queen Elizabeth 'Aft Island' Move

The 'Aft Island' section of (HMS) Queen Elizabeth left the BAE shipyard in Govan and will now head around to Rosyth to meet up with the other sections for completion.

The weather - for once - favoured those who gathered on the banks of the Clyde to document the passage.

(HMS) Queen Elizabeth 'Aft Island' Approaching Erskine Bridge

Tug Anglegarth Takes Up the Stern

(HMS) Queen Elizabeth 'Aft Island' Under Erskine Bridge

(HMS) Queen Elizabeth 'Aft Island' Heading Down River Past Bowling


Passing Port Glasgow 

Passing Port Glasgow 

Tug 'Keverne' on the Lead Tow

Heading Towards Greenock 

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

Aircraft Carrier Lower Block 04 Section Departs Govan

Another section of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier 'Queen Elizabeth' departed the BAE yard at Govan late this morning.

  Scheduled to depart on Monday of this week - the move was deferred until today.

Three of our Clyde Svitzer tugs - Ayton Cross, Svitzer Milford, and Anglegarth escorted and towed the barge - AMT Trader - carrying the section on it's journey to Rosyth in Fife.

When they arrived at Greenock two sea tugs - BB Troll and Carlo Magno - were waiting to take over the tow for the remainder of the journey.

This section is one of the largest modules housing two engines, a hospital, galley and 242 berths.

On arrival at Rosyth this section will be added to those already constructed and eventually the ship will be completed.

 Lower Block 04 Section Departing Govan

 Lower Block 04 Section Tugs Getting Ready at Govan

Lower Block 04 Section - Govan

Lower Block 04 Section Leaving Govan

Lower Block 04 Section with Supporting Tugs Depart Govan

Lower Block 04 Section with Ayton Cross at the Stern

Lower Block 04 Section Leaves Govan with a Large Audience

Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs at Erskine Bridge

 Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs at Erskine Bridge

 Svitzer Milford - Erskine Bridge

Anglegarth - Erskine Bridge

Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs Heading Downriver

Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs Passing Port Glasgow

 Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs Passing Port Glasgow

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

Loch Ard at Nightfall

This was the final location of the day.

Drive to Loch Ard in an attempt to get some nice sunset shots. Sadly the weather wasn't going to give us a red blazing sunset, but nonetheless we were gifted with some nice subdued lighting on a fairly calm night.

Also with a bit of time in hand we managed to have a cup of hot soup followed by a Belgian hot chocolate. Life is good.

 Sunset - Loch Ard 

Sunset Over Loch Ard  

Sunset - Loch Ard  

Cottage at Twilight on Loch Ard
 

Sunset - Loch Ard 

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

Achray Forest - Trossachs

Our second location of the day was the David Marshall Lodge in Achray Forest.

A part of the Trossachs, this is a wonderful area to visit with many paths and walks.

The waterfall is a magnet to photographers but there is much to be seen while walking.

Achray Forest

Achray Forest Waterfall

 Achray Forest

Women's Timber Corps Memorial - David Marshall Lodge

Achray Forest 

Ghostly Figures in Achray Forest

Achray Forest 

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

Queen Elizabeth - First Trip to Greenock

The Cunard cruise liner Queen Elizabeth - on her maiden season - arrived at Greenock for the first time on a very dreich Scottish morning.

She was met by a busy Esplanade with many locals turning out to see and photograph her arrival.

The Svitzer tug Anglegarth greeted her with hoses spraying water - which added to the rain already there.

The Queen Elizabeth is the second largest Cunarder ever built - weighing in at 92,000-tonnes.

Awaiting the Queen Elizabeth in the Rain - Off Greenock Esplanade

Queen Elizabeth with Prinsendam in the Background - Off Greenock Esplanade

 Queen Elizabeth - Off Greenock Esplanade

 Thomas and Eddie Brave the Greenock Weather to Greet the Queen Elizabeth

 Queen Elizabeth - Off Greenock Esplanade

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