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.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon Visits Inverclyde

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Inverclyde today as part of the forthcoming general election campaign.

She arrived at the Battery Park having flown over by helicopter after her visit to Helensburgh .

She was greeted by an enthusiastic reception party as she touched down at the Battery Park in Greenock.

Hundreds of supporters turned out at Cathcart Square in Greenock, and Nicola took time to speak and pose for selfies with many of the crowd.

Everyone seemed very pleased with her visit and you could see the delight in their faces.


Happy Reception Party

Nicol Hovers Over Greenock

 Friendly Wave to Waiting Supporters

 Nicola Sturgeon Waves to the Waiting Crowd

 A Smiling Nicola Sturgeon disembarks her Helicopter

 Nicola embraces a young SNP supporter

Delighted Young Supporters

 Posing with Supporters


Nicola Sturgeon and local candidate Ronnie Cowan 

High Fives

On Walkabout in Clyde Square

Very Young Supporters Waves to Nicola Sturgeon

Flag Waving at the First Minister's Car

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

HMS Ocean - Departing Glen Mallon

HMS Ocean departed from Loch Long this morning and headed out to sea.

Once again I was treated to wintry showers and feeling very cold.

Everything went smoothly as she came off the berth and the tugs did their work to cant her.

Hope we see her back again one day soon.


Waiting for the off at Glen Mallan jetty


Preparing to Departure


Coming  off the berth at Glen Mallan

HMS Ocean and SD Reliable

 Canting

HMS Ocean Off Glen Mallan

 HMS Ocean and SD Reliable

 Under Tow


In Loch Long

 Landing Craft on Deck

 Heading Out to Sea

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

HMS Ocean - Glen Mallon

HMS Ocean arrived on the Clyde this morning and headed up Loch Long to Glen Mallan.

First time I've seen her here and have to say she is very impressive.

Fortunate to get a nice sunny - if cold - day for the photographs.

 Bound for Glen Mallan

Passing Finnart


Tugs in Attendance


Closer Look

Starting to Berth 

Final Push

 Approaching Glen Mallan

Busy Bridge


Berthing at the Jetty

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

HMS Illustrious - Glen Mallan

HMS Illustrious arrived at Glen Mallan on a beatiful calm and sunny morning.

All berthed with a minimum of fuss.

Great weather for the first day of March.

 Sailing Past Finnart Oil Terminal

 Looking Great in the Sunshine

Lovely Backdrop of Scottish Hills

 So Near the Shore

 Splendid Morning

 Tugs Assist

 Tied up at Glen Mallan Jetty

Work Boat 


HMS Illustrious and New Mexico from Dougie Coull.

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

The Queen Visits Inverclyde in Her Jubilee Year

Today was Greenock's turn to be visited by the Queen in her Jubilee year.

The public turned out in their thousands and lined the streets of Greenock as both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived.

Her Majesty’s motorcade arrived at Cathcart Square just over thirty minutes late to be greeted with a rendition of 'God Save the Queen' and a school children's' choir giving their all.

Unfortunately as the Queen went directly to Municipal Buildings we were not afforded a clear view of her, and a pity she did not go towards the choir as they would have surely felt rewarded.

After declaring Inverclyde Council’s new customer contact centre in the Municipal Buildings opened and unveiling the plaque - the Queen’s car drove via Greenock Esplanade to the Battery Park where her helicopter was waiting to whisk her off to her next destination.

A short visit it has to be said, but fond memories for Inverclyde's residents of the occasion I am sure. 

Crowds Gather to Await the Queen on Her Inverclyde Visit - Cathcart Square

 Mid Kirk - Queen's Inverclyde Visit

 Police Outriders on Queen's Inverclyde Visit - Cathcart Square

 Crowds Gather to Await the Queen on Her Inverclyde Visit - Cathcart Square

 Bunting on the Fountain - Cathcart Square

 Crowds Gather to Await the Queen on Her Inverclyde Visit - Cathcart Square

 Crowds Gather to Await the Queen on Her Inverclyde Visit - Cathcart Square

 Queen's Inverclyde Visit - Cathcart Square

 Room With a View - Queen's  Inverclyde Visit - Cathcart Square

Watching You, Watching Me - Queen's Inverclyde Visit - Cathcart Square

Queen Departing Inverclyde - Battery Park

HRH the Duke of Edinburgh Waves to the Crowd - Battery Park

Queen's Helicopter Departing - Battery Park

And It's Goodbye from Me - Queen's Short Inverclyde Visit - Battery Park

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