Big Man Walking - Port Glasgow, Inverclyde

'Big Man Walking' came to Inverclyde today - and best described as awesome.

We were lucky to catch it dry at the start - but the weather let us down badly as the parade was in full swing.

The 'Puppet Lab' created Scotland's first giant puppet - a giant 8 metre high man to walk through the towns and villages of Scotland.

Big Man Walking was a spectacular street event with this gigantic figure, and the atmosphere created was fantastic with everyone old and young joining in and having a great time.

 'BIG' is the word

 The parade makes it way up Princes Street

Gala King & Queen of Port Glasgow meet 'Big Man Walking' in Port Glasgow

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

Darroch Park, Gourock, Scotland

First partly dry day in a while. Went to Gourock and grabbed a few pics.

 Red Autumn Leaves

 Duck in Pond

 

Autumn Leave

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

Photography Field Day at Glasgow Botanic Gardens & Kibble Palace

We had a 'Field Day' as part of my 'Digital Photography' class at the  'University of the West of Scotland' - Paisley Campus.

The morning was spent going around the gardens and greenhouses - including the Kibble Palace.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and benefit from the advice given.

 A Happy Wee Squirrel

 Kibble Palace Dome

 Pigeon Keeps a Watchful Eye on Events

 

Statue in the Kibble Palace

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

Defender (HMS) - Launched at BVT Yard in Govan Today

The launch of the Royal Navy's latest anti-air warfare destroyer took place this afternoon at 15:20

The Type 45 ship - named Defender - took to the water at BVT Surface Fleet's Govan shipyard.

Defender is the fifth of a fleet of six destroyers to be built, and is the eighth ship to bear the name.

The ceremony was broadcast live to the Transport Museum in Glasgow, where visitors to the museum watched the event on big screens.

The new ship is being affiliated with Glasgow and Exeter, and the launch ceremony was performed by Lady Massey, wife of Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey

(HMS) Defender is due to come into service next year

Crowds start to gather

Balloons and Fireworks go off as she slides down the slipway

Defender Hits the Water

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

Queen Mary 2 (QM2) - Firework Display at Greenock

Greenock Esplanade was packed with locals and visitors who made the journey for the departure of Cunard's liner QM2.

They were not disappointed with the late departure as the Firework Display was worth the wait in the damp evening.

 Fireworks Add Atmosphere

 

Splash of Colour

 

Special Occasion for Greenock

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

Queen Mary 2 (QM2) at Greenock

 The Cunard liner Queen Mary 2 made her first visit to Greenock this morning.

She looked awesome as she rounded the bend - and on to the Esplanade at 07:00 this morning.


 Queen Mary 2 - Canting Off Greenock Esplanade 

The Esplanade was busy with on-lookers who had braved the elements to watch the world's biggest ocean liner come up the River Clyde on her first visit.

Queen Mary 2 is the largest ship to have sailed up the Clyde and is currently the largest, longest, tallest, and widest ocean liner built.

The 151,400 ton vessel will depart around 18:30 - with a firework display to send her off on the next leg of her UK tour.

QM2 Docked at Greenock Ocean Terminal

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

Wemyss Bay Station

Aborted effort to catch a glimpse of the Royal Scotsman luxury train.

Sadly it was a 'no show' on a rather cold and bleak Sunday afternoon.

Blue Loo

Guess Where?

Ornate Roof

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

Faslane Naval Activity - Departures

Some departures from Faslane Naval Base - mostly after the debrief from the recent Joint Warrior Maritime Exercise

USS Warship Cole DDG 67

USS Warship Ramage DDG 61

 

USS Warship John L Hall FFG 32

 

HMS Shoreham - Minehunter - M112

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

Cars of the Stars - Loch Lomond

Visited 'Cars of the Stars Scotland' today. Only opened in July 2009 and they have a collection of vehicles from the world of film and television.

 'The Saint' - Volvo P1800

 

'Herbie' The Love Bug VW Beetle

 

'Back to the Future' - Delorean Time Machine

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

Garelochhead Railway Station - Steam Train Activity

Another wee run over and caught this 'double header'.

Much sunnier today, but unable to get photos as I would have liked as a Diesel was in the way.

Double Header (45407 & 62034 ) come through Garelochhead Station

 62034 Sitting in Garelochhead Station

DR 73934 - Plasser & Theurer 08-16/4x4C100-RT Tamper - Garelochhead

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

Greenock Cemetery

 A lovely autumn day, so went to our local cemetery which has a host of plant life and subjects to photograph

It's also normally very peaceful - though sadly vandalised by mindless locals

Single Cross

 White Berries

Monument

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

Lochnevis

Cal Mac's ferry - Lochnevis

Arrives at Greenock

Lochnevis enters Garvel dry dock

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

Diamond On Sea Trials

She was escorted down the River Clyde heading out to open water to conduct her first of many sea trials before she is handed over to the Royal Navy. She will then be called HMS Diamond.

CMS Buster in Attendance Passing Newark Castle, Port Glasgow

Passing Port Glasgow

Passing Greenock Esplanade

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Newark Walk, Port Glasgow

A few pics while waiting on 'Diamond' to appear from upriver


Looking up river towards Parklea

 Small boats off Newark Castle

 

Looking towards the Pier

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

Joint Warrior Maritime Exercise - October 2009

After  the last departure at Faslane I was heading back home. On my way I saw that the Canadians were late in leaving Glasgow so carried on down to Greenock.

Rewarded with these three images.

 HMCS Halifax Canadian FFH330 Frigate

 

 HMCS Athabaskan Canadian DDH282 Destroyer

 

HMCS Montreal Canadian FFH336 Frigate

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

Joint Warrior Maritime Exercise - October 2009

Early morning start to get to Faslane Naval Base to see departure of HMS Illustrious and the others

MOD Defence Police in Support at Faslane

USS Ramage American - DDG 61 Destroyer

HMS Illustrious Departing Faslane Naval Base

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

Around the river (Clyde)

 Absalon left earlier than expected.

Weather turned nasty as the day went on.

Danish Warship Absalon (L16)

Fireball off Greenock Esplanade between heat showers

 HMCS Preserver - a 24,000 ton Canadian Oil Replenishment ship

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