Gourock's Darroch Park - Animal Farm

Always enjoy a walk around the pet's corner in Darroch Park.

The long term resident donkey - Mary - passed away recently and it was nice to see that she has a fine replacement in her stead.

A few images as I walked around.

 Hen

Duck

 Keeping an Eye on Me

Duck

Duck

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

Ronja Viking - Returns from Sea Trials

 'Ronja Viking' as she returns from sea trials after her re-fit in the Garvel Dry Dock.

She looked resplendent with her new paintwork as she came in to the James Watt Dock.

A quick cant and she tied up alongside the dock wall.


 Ronja Viking Arriving at James Watt Dock

 Ronja Viking Canting


 Ronja Viking in James Watt Dock

 Ronja Viking

 Ronja Viking Tying Up

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

Inverkip Power Station - Chimney Demolition

The iconic chimney of the now defunct Power Station at Inverkip was demolished tonight at 22:00.

The first blast - 90 metres up - was followed closely by another one at ground level.

It will be missed by many as it was a landmark of this area.

At a height of 778 ft it dominated the landscape and was Scotland's tallest freestanding structure.

 More than 1.4m bricks encased in 20,000 tonnes of reinforced concrete were involved in it's construction - and I myself was present when it was being built.

Many onlookers gathered on the hillside behind the chimney and many took to the river in small craft to witness the demolition. They were not disappointed at the spectacle.

The Worker Gives an Indication of Scale and Chimney Size

Demolition Workers

Onlookers and Media Gather on the Hillside

Police Ensuring that No Persons Remained inside the Exclusion Zone


Charges Detonate

Starting to Fall

Crumbling Down 

Almost There

Gone

Only Dust Remains


Inverkip Chimney Demolition from Dougie Coull on Vimeo.

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

Merchant City Festival - 2013

A last minute decision to head up to Glasgow for the Merchant City Festival.

Caught a late afternoon train and was soon in Glasgow.

So glad I made the journey as I haven't seen Glasgow look so happy as I did today.

With the sunny weather and everyone intent on savouring the atmosphere and joining in the festivities it was a joy to behold.

The festival continues tomorrow and if you didn't manage along today I suggest you give it a try tomorrow.

You won't be disappointed.

 Living Statue

Colourful Cycles

Continental Glasgow

 Goofing Around

 Getting Ever Closer

 Italian Stall

Crowds Throng the Markets


Never a Truer Word

Festival Times

 Market Stall

 French Market

Having Fun

 Happy Times

 One for the Girls

 One for the Boys

 Looking Continental

 Spanish Stall

One Happy Wee Winner

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

Langbank Summer Sunset

A few images as the sun set tonight.

The paddle steamer 'Waverley' was making her back to Glasgow at a very serene and slow pace to add a little interest to the scene before me.

 Sunset From Langbank

Sunset From Langbank 

Sunset From Langbank

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

Lightning Strike Starts Fire in Greenock Flats

Inverclyde was hit badly with heavy thunder and lightning storms today, bringing torrential rains.

A block of flats in Campbell Street was hit by lightning and a fire ensued.

My arrival on site was curtailed by roads being closed due to flooding, but here are some images from the site as the blaze was brought under control.

The firefighters were doing a grand job and everything seemed to being handled in a professional manner.

I'm pleased to report that there were no casualties following the blaze and there were a few relieved faces at what could have been a much worse scenario.

Fire Site - Heritage Court in Greenock

Fire Site

Dense Smoke

Firefighters at Flats Blaze

Detail Gathering at Flats Fire

Snorkel

Flats Fire - Heritage Court

Emergency Service Personnel Confer

Snorkel Extinguishes the Flames

Fire Site

A Relieved Resident Who Lives in the Flat Next Door

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