Save Clyde Coastguard demonstration

A good crowd gathered on Greenock Esplanade this evening to show their support for the Clyde Coastuard base which is due to be axed in government cuts this December.

A few dozen small boat were holding a red flare demonstration as part of a campaign against this unpopular action.

A good crowd gather to watch the red flare demonstration

Some of the boats taking part

The surface of the river lights up

A flare held aloft in protest at the closure

No boat is too small to be heard

Waverley heading south

After spending the summer months around the Clyde, it's time for Waverley to head down south for a few weeks.

MSC Lirica

MSC Lirica was originally scheduled to go to Oban but Greenock welcomed her instead as the weather was expected to take a turn for the worse up north.

We has a second bonus when Hebridean Princess arrived just as Lirica was departing.

MSC canting off Esplanade

MSC Lirica departing

Hebridean Princess

Hebridean Princess passing Lirica, port to port

Buckie

My first visit to the Banffshire town of Buckie has been a most pleasant experience.

The harbour, perhaps, isn't as busy as it used to be, but there are enough reminders of how this town made its name.

Buckie Harbour

Fishing boats in Buckie Harbour

Ship repairers yard at Buckie

Gemini Explorer leaving the harbour

Sunset over Cromarty Firth

Sunset from Buckie Harbour

Buckie at dusk

Buckpool Harbour, west of Buckie is now filled in and landscaped

Strathspey railway, Broomhill Station

We couldn't come back down from Buckie without stopping off to catch this lovely steam train again.

This time we stopped at Broomhill Station. This is the station which was used as Glenbogle Station in the TV series, Monarch of the Glen,

Fort George, Inverness

Had a great day at Fort George where Historic Scotland had a Celebration of the Centuries re-enactment.

Various groups came together to provide hours of fun and entertainment.

The event closed off with a spectacular aerial display featuring a Spitfire and Mustang.

A soldier wearing chainmail

An unprovoked attack by a fearsome warrior

Very smart uniforms

Roman Legionaries in an attack formation

Time to relax

Gordon Highlanders

Dancing to the sounds of a swing band

American dancers

Spitfire and Mustang flying overhead

Spynie Palace, Elgin

Spynie Palace was the home of the Bishops of Moray for about 500 years.

The palace dates back to the 12th century and the building is now a ruin looked after by Historic Scotland.

David's Tower

Loch Spynie in the distance

Cullen and Portknockie

Cullen and Portknockie are two villages in Banffshire with harbours which would have once been busy with the herring fishing industry.

Those days are long gone now, but some fishermen still continue in their ancestors' footsteps, though mostly for shellfish today.

Cullen Harbour

Cullen Harbour

Portknockie Harbour entrance

Bow Fiddle Rock, east of Portknockie

Bow Fiddle Rock

RAF Lossiemouth

I think I now know what the underside of a Tornado looks like after spending several hours watching them taking off and landing at RAF Lossiemouth.

We were almost within touching distance at times and the roar of their engines was deafening as they flew directly overhead.

Squadron of Tornados lined up at Lossiemouth

Tornado coming in to land

Piper Cheyenne coming in to land

Tristar troop carrier taxiing for take-off

Colony of seals at Port Gordon

Great to see these seals lying on the rocks basking in the sunshine.

We caught them at Port Gordon, near Buckie and couldn't believe how close they allowed us to come.