Sailing past the Cumbraes

A half mile strait separates Great Cumbrae island from its smaller neighbour, Little Cumbrae to the south.

The castle in the background is a 15th century keep which is located on a small tidal island.

Gare Loch

A sea loch which flows south to open onto the Firth of Clyde,it is 7 miles long and 1 mile in width.

The town of Helensburgh lies at its mouth, Greenock lies opposite and around the loch are the villages of Rhu, Shandon, Faslane, Garelochhead, Clynder and Rosneath.

A popular place for sailling during the summer months,but perhaps best known for Faslane  home to the Trident nuclear submarines.

HMS Argyll

The British frigate HMS Argyll, a type 23 Duke Class

Walrus

The Walrus-class submarine is the only submarine class currently in operation in the Royal Netherlands Navy. They have been in use since 1990 and are all named after sea mammals.

She is seen here approaching Faslane submarine base on the Clyde as part of the Joint Warrior Nato exercise of 2009.

Red Dolphin

For more pictures click HERE

Submarine

Heading for Loch Long submarine test area.

Skelmorlie Castle

On the south side of Skelmorlie village is the large imposing mansion house of Skelmorlie,a much altered building but you can still see traces of the original tower which dates back to about 1500,it was a stronghold for the Montgomerie family.

It was restyled in the Scott's Baronial style in the 1850s.

A private house which can only be viewed from the road.