'Royal Princess' - Greenock Visit

The cruise ship 'Royal Princess' arrived at Greenock around 06:50 this morning.

This is her first visit to the Clyde, and she is the second largest cruise ship ever to be here.

  She can accommodate 3,560 passengers making her the largest ever to be in the Clyde from that perspective.

Approaching Gourock Inbound

 Passing Gourock Inbound



Arriving at the Esplanade

Approaching Greenock Ocean Terminal

Royal Princess

Canting off Greenock Esplanade


Canting off Greenock Esplanade


Canting off Greenock Esplanade


Going Astern to the Ocean Terminal to Berth

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

'Thomas the Tank' Day and Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway

Part of my day's trip was a run to Bo'ness and Kinneil railway.

It was a special fun day for the kids as Thomas the Tank engine and his many friends were out and about working.

There was much excitement in the air and everyone seemed to be having a good time and seeing their favourite railway engines.

 Percy

Diesel 

Choo Choo


Diesel

 Thomas the Tank Day

Diesel

Thomas the Tank

 Thomas the Tank

Thomas the Tank

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

Duchess of Sutherland

Another trip through to the east coast so see one of the steam train tours on the Forth Circle line.

This time the 'Duchess of Sutherland' was doing the work.

She is an LMS Princess Coronation Class - number (4)6233 - and in Green livery. She has previously had Black and also Crimson Lake liveries.

She will be back to the Crimson Lake for next year so hopefully she'll be back up and I can get photos in that livery too.

The light was not at it's best but at least it stayed dry for the day.

The usual chasing around the circle to get images in various locations and angles.

 Approaching Linlithgow

 At Linlithgow

 North Queensferry Station

 Taking Water

  Taking Water

  Taking Water

Crossing the Forth Rail Bridge

 Thundering On

At Culross

 At Culross

Approaching Linlithgow

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

Tobacco Warehouse - Greenock

I went along to the Tobacco Warehouse today as part of the Inverclyde 'Open Doors' day.

The historic five storey building is located with it's entrance on Clarence Street.

The warehouse has not been used for many years now so this was a rare opportunity to see the inside of the structure.

Local architect Dominic Quigley was on hand to offer information on the building and was very helpful during my visit.

Local artists from the 'Absent Voice's project occupied the second floor on the day, and offered workshops to the visitors who could see them in action.

I spoke with one or two of the artists who were very friendly, and it is commendable that they gave of their time to support the event.

Anne McKay and her model Catherine very kindly stayed on to allow me to get a photograph later in the afternoon.

 Pillars

 Window

 Windows

Window

Streaming Light

Second Floor


Anne McKay and Catherine

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

Cruise Ship 'Albatros' at Greenock

The cruise ship 'Albatros' arrived at Greenock today having travelled down from Ullapool overnight.

This is her first visit to the our shores and the passengers couldn't fail to be impressed with the Clyde in glorious sunshine and warmth.

She departs this evening and her next port of call is Belfast.

 Arriving at Greenock

 On Deck

 Starting to Cant

 Canting

Passengers on Deck 

Passengers on Deck 

Passengers on Deck 


Going Astern to the Ocean Terminal

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

Scottish Airshow - Prestwick

Well it's day two of the Scottish Airshow and down I head again to Ayrshire.

As promised the two Lancasters duly arrived in the morning, preceded by two Spitfires.

I headed for the 'mound' where I parted with £2 to park in a rutted piece of waste ground that's normally derelict and free to use.

Meanwhile the local warden was busy preparing tickets for those illegally parked.

Having travelled a fair distance I opted to pay the £10 for the static display, and parted this time with £5 for the parking.

Rather bemused that the organisers were charging £2 extra to buy the tickets online as the norm is to offer a reduction for early purchase on the web. No concessions either which is also unusual for this type of event.

As for the event itself, I'm sorry to say that it was very non photographer friendly. Six foot high fences around a lot of the exhibits was, to me, an unnecessary barrier. It also meant that many parents were putting their children on their shoulders so that they could see, and I appreciate them having to do this, but unfortunately it impacted on what others could see.

As there was no public address system we were kept guessing as to when aircraft were leaving to fly - so all a bit of a lottery.

There wasn't an abundance of aircraft on display but this was expected and hopefully next year will see many more.

Lancasters Arrive

Canadian Lancaster  Flies Overhead

 Final Approach

 Safely Down

Vulcan Bomber

Canadian Lancaster

Cheerleaders

Tucano

British Lancaster

 Spitfire

Jet Provost

Seaplane

Static Display

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