James Watt Dock

Jupiter,Waverley with Mina in the background.
Three ships just out of dry dock,from left to right,Sea Horse,MV Jupiter and Waverley
James Watt Dock Greenock,a busy dock due to its dry dock facilities .[Garvel Dry Dock ]

Little Cumbrae

A small boat sails past the Little Cumbrae Island which lies next to the more famous Great Cumbrae,better known as Millport.

The tower at the top of the hill was an open fire beacon that acted as a lighthouse before a proper lighthouse was built by Robert Stevenson.

Ali Cat

Ali Cat is a 19.5metre catamaran which is run by Cal Mac for the Gourock /Dunoon service,she covers the route at peak times.

Saga Rose

Saga Rose departing from Greenock Ocean terminal yesterday evening. A lovely calm evening,the light was particularly beautiful as she headed into the haze and Crepuscular rays came breaking through the cumulus nimbus clouds.

The Saga Rose is a 'classic liner' cruise ship operated by Saga Cruises of the United Kingdom. It was launched in 1965 as the Norwegian America Line's Sagafjord, and was long operated by the Cunard Line. Well-maintained and known for its stately interior and classical swept bow, it now operates worldwide on cruise tours targeted at the senior market.

West Kilbride

Taken from the hills high up in West Kilbride village,in the background is the Little Cumbrae island.

Bird Sculpture

Sculpture on the banks of the Clyde,in the background is the Kilpatrick hills.

The Saltmarshes

A visit to Old Kirkpatrick today,and a walk along the Clyde salt marshes.
I spotted this deer and her young fawn, she was no more than 100 yards from the river edge.

The Saltmarshes at Old Kilpatrick is a nature reserve on the banks of the Clyde it contains internationally important numbers of wintering redshank and curlew that flock to the reserve’s rich mudflats, which are an important feeding ground.

Dintelborg

Dintelborg passing Port Glasgow.

The Clyde

Looking downriver from atop of Dumbarton Rock.

Largs .Divers

Ailsa Craig

AILSA CRAIG, an island rock at the mouth of the Firth of Clyde.
You can see the brief outline of the Craig from as far away as Largs and as you drive through Ayrshire it changes shape and size , but its not until you arrive at Girvan that you really marvel at this lump of volcanic plug.

From Girvan the craig is only 10 miles offshore,and indeed Girvan has claimed it self to be the home of Ailsa Craig,at the moment a visitor centre is being built in Girvan were you will be able to watch the sea birds via cameras on the island itself.

In the summer of 1818, John Keats and a friend named Brown undertook a pedestrian tour through Scotland. They travelled along the Ayrshire coast from Ballantrae northwards, Ailsa Rock being constantly in their view.

At the King's Arms Inn in Girvan, Keats wrote his fine sonnet on Ailsa Craig.

Hearken, thou craggy ocean-pyramid!

Give answer from thy voice-the sea-fowls' screams!

When were thy shoulders mantled in huge streams?

When from the sun was thy broad forehead hid?

flow long is 't since the Mighty Power bid

Thee heave from airy sleep, from fathom dreams?

Sleep in the lap of thunder, or sunbeams,

Or when grey clouds are thy cold coverlid?

Thou answerest not, for thou art dead asleep!

Thy life is but two dead eternities-

The last in air, the former in the deep-

First with the whales, last in the eagle-skies,

Drowned wert thou till an earthquake made thee steep;

Another cannot wake thy giant size.

-John Keats.

As well as being famous for its puffins and other sea birds ,its probably more famous throughout the world for its rock, which is made into some of the best quality curling stones in the world. The stones are popularly known as "Ailsas" or "Ailsa Craigs."

MV Saturn

MV Saturn arriving at Gourock

Agdash

A small tanker being manoeuvred into Rothsey Dock today.

AASFJORD

Aasfjord today making her way up to Glasgow.