Day Trip to Lochgilphead Area

A wee day out to Lochgilphead with a couple of friends to take in the scenery and get some photos.

A good drive up and straight to Ardrishaig to see the end of the Crinan Canal.

Bright and sunny but bitterly cold - still we can't have everything.

Then headed up to the canal locks and stopped for a coffee and sandwich and let Maya out for a walk plus some dog food and water.

Onwards to Crinan Harbour - consisted of a single pontoon - but a nice atmosphere.

A drive round to Crinan where the canal basin leads to the sea.

Some interesting craft so a walk around and chatted with some of the locals doing restoration work, and also one of the canal staff.

On the move again and back to Lochgilphead where I'd arrange to meet an old friend who I hadn't seen in - I guess - about 25 years. Another coffee and sandwich in his garden and enjoyed the warmth of the sun out of the wind.

He recommended a visit to Dunadd and that proved very worthwhile, and also visited the standing stones in the area.

Then to Tarbert but as hunger was getting the better of us we opted for fish and chips and a stretch of the legs. Sadly this meant we missed the light so no photos.

Back up the road and decided to take in the sunset at Crinan, and after that we departed and got home around 23:30 so a long but very worthwhile day.


Ardrishaig


Ardrishaig Harbour

 Crinan Harbour

Steam Tugboat

 Crinan Lighthouse

 View from Dunadd

Auld Reekie - Puffer

 Nether Largie Stones at Kilmartin

Glen Temple Wood Stone Circles 

 Jenny

 Crinan Canal

Celtic Cross at Kilmartin Church

Sun Sets at Crinan Basin


Sunset from Crinan

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

Lysblink Seaways - Final Journey

The container ship 'Lysblink Seaways' that recently ran aground near Ardnamurchan on the west coast of Scotland, moved from Inchgreen Dry Dock across to Roseneath today.

She had come to Greenock under tow for repairs to be carried out, but these have proven to be too expensive and sadly she is beyond economical repair.

She will be dismantled by DRB Marine in Roseneath.

Svitzer tugs 'Anglegarth' and 'Ayton Cross' assisted in the move and the 'Lysblink Seaways' had no main engines, but just generators running.


Awaiting the Dock to Flood

Anglegarth Waits at the Dock Gates

Securing the Tow Line

 Anglegarth in the Dock

 Anglegarth in the Dock with Lysblink Seaways

 Ayton Cross in the Dock with Lysblink Seaways

 Exiting the Dock

Canting at Great Harbour

Arriving at Roseneath

 Tying Up at Roseneath

Secured to the Jetty at Roseneath

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

MV Orcadia - Previously MV Saturn

I've been following the progress of the transition of the old Calmac ferry 'MV Saturn' as she undergoes the change to 'MV Orcadia'.

She is now owned by Pentland Ferries and will be utilised in fish farm work, and perhaps some offshore duties too.

She left the dry dock this afternoon and made the short trip round to the James Watt Dock.

She still has some work to be done but I expect she will be heading up the the Orkneys towards the end of next week.


Waiting at the Garvel Dry Dock

 Swinging in to James Watt Dock

 New Logo

 New Name Stencilled In

 Workers from the Garvel Dry Dock

Looking Quite Smart in her new Livery

Entering James Watt Dock

Berthing in James Watt Dock

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

Stirling Castle

The weather being fairly poor a visit to Stirling Castle seemed a good choice.

I visited in 2012 with the promise to return - and here I am.

This is a wonderful attraction with plenty to see - and complimented with very helpful and informative staff.

Historic Scotland do a fantastic job with their properties and I'm always impressed with the staff.

Their membership is in my opinion extremely good value.

The castle was well worth the second visit and I'm sure I'll return again.

 Stirling Castle 

Canon

Wall Display

 Chapel Royal


Chapel Royal

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Colours

 Armour

 Castle Guide

 Stain Glass Window

 Stirling Heads

 Stirling Castle

 Dining Room in Museum

 Military Exhibit

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle

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

Greenock Docks

A bitter and windy day today but at least the sun was shining.

A few vessels exited the Garvel dry dock after noon, and the 'MV Saturn' re-entered the dry dock for some more TLC.

Later in the day the 'Stavros S Niarchos' departed the James Watt Dock and returned after successful sea trials.

'Sound of Soay' Heads for Sea Trials 

'MV Lochinvar' Heading in to James Watt Dock


 'Stavros S Niarchos' and 'SD Eva' pass on the Clyde

'MV Saturn' at Garvel Dry Dock


'MV Saturn' entering Garvel Dry Dock

 'Stavros S Niarchos' at James Watt Dock

 'Stavros S Niarchos'

'Stavros S Niarchos' canting at James Watt Dock

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