MV Hallaig - Passenger Ferry

Caledonian MacBrayne's passenger ferry the 'Hallaig' is currently undergoing sea trials in the Clyde.

She was built at Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow, and launched on the 17 December 2012.

Scheduled to enter service this year serving communities on Skye and Raasay.

Passing Gourock

Approaching Greenock 

 Passing East India Harbour

 On Her Way

Bound for Port Glasgow

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

River Clyde Today

A few images from the 'Clyde' today.

The 'CSL Thames' was Glasgow bound this morning, and the tug 'Osprey Fighter' is on her way to Methil in Fife with parts for wind farms.

CSL Thames


CSL Thames


CSL Thames and the Tug Svitzer Milford

On Her Way to Methil

 Wind Farm Parts

Osprey Fighter

 Wind Farm Structure

Heading Past Port Glasgow 

Heading Out to Sea

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

'Marian V' - Dutch Tug

The 'MarianV' passed Port Glasgow this morning on her way upriver to Clydebank.

She was towing a barge which will be taken up the River Cart to be loaded with wind farm parts.

Thereafter the barge and load will be taken to their next destination.

 'Marian V' with Barge

 Passing Port Glasgow

 Making Good Speed

On Her Way

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

Beacon Arts Centre - First Beam of Light Celebration

The delayed launch of hundreds of paper boats made by schoolchildren in Clydeside took place in Greenock today as a homage to internationally renowned Scottish artist George Wyllie. 

The young people, aged 4-18 spent the last six months of 2012 studying the work of the late George Wyllie - one of Inverclyde's most famous residents - as part of the Whysman Festival 2013. 

 The launch of the boats – dubbed The Origami Fleet – was due to take place on Hogmanay last year at The Riverside Museum in Glasgow, but had to be postponed due to high winds. 

 The paper boat fleet, made by school pupils studying the work of the Glasgow born artist as part of the George Wyllie Education Initiative, as launched in the Firth of Clyde just beyond Custom House Quay in Greenock, where Wyllie was based for many years. 

 Pupils from 10 local authorities involved in the initiative attended the launch of the Origami Fleet, which was sent on its way by Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.  
Following Mr Russell's speech, pupils from four participating primary schools sang George Wyllie's 'Paper Boat Song'. The four schools were from Inverclyde and Renfrewshire.

Lone piper, Stuart McMillan MSP, played The Skye Boat Song as the boats were scattered in the Firth of Clyde ifrom the tug 'Anglegarth'. 

The fire protection boat set of its water cannons as the paper boats hit the water and foghorn blared out over the water. 

The launch was part of the new Beacon Arts Centre’s First Beam of Light celebration, an afternoon of free arts activities, including workshops, exhibitions, street theatre, live debate, bands, choirs and a ceilidh.


Beacon Arts Centre on Custom House Quay from the River

The Question Mark

Schools Choir Entertain

'Swans' Procession

'Swans' Procession


A 'Swan' Bids Farewell

'Swans' Farewell to the Paper Boat Fleet

Paper Boats are Scattered from the Tug 'Anglegarth'.

Foghorn is Sounded Aboard the Anglegarth

A Few of the Origami Paper Fleet

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

Barge Move - Inchinnan Bascule Bridge

This morning we witnessed another section bound for the wind farms.

The section was loaded on to a barge and the tugs 'Biter' and 'Beaver Bay' assisted in the move as it progressed down the River Cart and underneath the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge, and then on down to the River Clyde.

The tow will be taken over by another tug - the 'Osprey Fighter' - for the long sail round to Methil in Fife.


Barge and Load Approach the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge


Barge Passes Under the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge

 Barge and Load Pass Under the Bridge

'Biter' Assists the Barge and Load Pass Under the Bridge

Barge and Load Pass Under the Bridge 

 The Wind Farm Structure Heads to the Clyde


A Tight Squeeze at the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge

'Beaver Bay' Assists the Move

'Beaver Bay' Assists the Move

Nervous Moments as Barge Inches Past the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge

'Beaver Bay' Assists the Move

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

'Osprey Fighter' Towing the Barge 'Stemat 86'

The 'Osprey Fighter' arrived in the Clyde today.

She was towing a barge from Rotterdam to the River Cart upriver.

The barge will be loaded with structures for the Wind Farms and transported South.

My last sighting of her was in 2008.

'Osprey Fighter' - Passing Port Glasgow

 'Osprey Fighter' - Passing Port Glasgow

'Osprey Fighter' - Passing Port Glasgow

'Osprey Fighter' Towing the Barge 'Stemat 86' - Passing Port Glasgow

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

Day Trip to Oban

Been trying to get a day up in Oban for ages now and finally managed today.

The pics tell the story but there are also a few around Arrochar on the drive up and on the return.

Looking Back at Arrochar

 Connel Bridge

'Sound Diver' Departs from Oban Bay

Maya Enjoys Her Day in Oban


 'Isle of Mull' in Oban Bay

 'Isle of Mull' Departing Oban

  'Isle of Mull' Departing Oban


'Isle of Mull' Departing Oban


'Isle of Mull' Heads to Sea


Oban Sea Traffic


Ferries Passing

'Lord of the Isles' Arriving in Oban

'Lord of the Isles' Arriving in Oban

'Lord of the Isles' Arriving in Oban

Puffin Diving Centre

Highland Home


Torpedo Station Remains - Arrochar

Torpedo Station Remains -Arrochar


CalMac Ferries Video

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