Clyde square Christmas lights

My last post of 2013 is of Greenock's Christmas lights at Clyde square.

The month of December has been very wet and windy here, but I've managed to find one of our better days to get some pictures of our lights on the Town Buildings and in Clyde Square.

Happy New Year to everyone for 2014. I look forward to posting many more pictures in the nest 12 months.

Clyde Marine tugs

After helping HMS Defender come down from Glasgow, three of Clyde Marine's tugs; Battler, Bruiser and Biter returned to their base in Greenock's Victoria Harbour.

The sun was out and the light had a lovely warm tone.

HMS Defender leaving the Clyde

After her open day at Glasgow, HMS Defender sailed down river on a bright, sunny Sunday morning.

Here are a few pictures taken as she passed East India Harbour in Greenock.

The Hydro

Glasgow's newest live music venue "The Hydro" recently opened.

This futuristic looking building is situated at Finnieston, beside the SECC and Armadillo.

The bright lights of these modern buildings contrasts with the massive Finnieston Crane, a remnant of Glasgow's industrial past.

HMS Defender

HMS Defender spent a weekend in Glasgow, the city of her birth.

Having seen several Type 45 destroyers undergoing sea trials on the Clyde, taking the opportunity for a closer look was not to be missed.

After going through a security bag check and standing in a queue for over half an hour we finally managed to get on board, only to find half of Glasgow snaking round the stern deck, through the hangar, in through the operations room and up towards the bow of the ship before turning around and heading back to the stern.

The Royal Navy personnel made everyone feel welcome and took time to chat with their visitors.

The large helicopter deck makes an ideal playground for restless kids

A plaque remembers naval campaigns which involved Defender's fore-runners

Uniformed personnel chat with the public

Sophisticaed electronic equipment, and a small gun

A big gun

The human conga makes its way back towards the stern of the ship

One of 2 Phalanx guns which can fire 4500 rounds per minute

A display of fire-fighting equipment

Returning to the stern via the hangar

Dumbarton fireworks display

The weekend around Gay Fawkes night is always marked with fireworks displays around the country.

As usual I went to Greenock's display at the Battery Park, but because of the heavy rain that day, I didn't take any photographs.

Instead, I decided to wait till Monday night to catch a great display at Levengrove Park in Dumbarton. I stayed on my own side of the river and photographed them from beside the river hoping to catch some colourful reflections.

West Highland Line

With autumn well and truly upon us and summer long gone, the Jacobite syteam trains once again return  south for winter.

First stop of the day was at Garelochhead station. 62005 was due down but unfortunately she was hiding behind the diesel loco that hauled her. 

As this would be my last chance to see steam this year we took a trip to Tyndrum and Crianlarich to see double header Black Fives, 45407 and 44871 coming down.

Royal National Mod 2013

The 2013 Mod kicked off in spectacular style with a torchlit parade down Paisley's High street.

The pipe band were accopanied on the parade by a group of school children carying torches.

The event showed that there is a strong interest in gaelic and I'm sure the Mod organisers were delighted with the lcal interest in the event.