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.

River Clyde 4/10/13

A quick stop at East India harbour on my way home from Gareloch paid dividends today.

Two new Western Ferries vessels arrived on the Clyde this morning and ended up at James Watt Dock prior to going into service on the busy Hunter's Quay to McInroy's Point crossing.

Some pictures of Sound of Seil and Sound of Soay passing East India Harbour and entering James Watt Dock.

With the arrivals for Joint Warrior the MOD police launch Lewis was kept busy.

The Vine Trust's hospital ship Jubilee Hope was assisted with a move from the entrance of the drydock to Great Harbour by Clyde Marine tug Beaver Bay.

Today has probably been a busier than average day on the river with a few welcome surprises to make up for the low level of Joint Warroir vessels.

Joint Warrior arrivals

The cruise ships are over and we are now on to the grey boats.

This weekend sees the start of Operation Joint Warrior, a twice yearly exercise off the west coast of Scotland.

This autumn's exercise seems to be a lot smaller scale than previous ones.

Today we had 2  arrivals to Faslane naval base with 1 vessel departing.

HMS Northumberland headed for King George V dock in Glasgow instead, so we had a quick dash to Braehead to catch her as she was escorted upriver by tugs Battler & Bruiser.

KNM Utvaer escorted by a MOD police launch

S303 - KNM Utvaer

KNM Utvaer's crew on top of her coning tower

KNM Utvaer heading for Faslane base

KNM Utvaer and HMS Severn, passing each other in Gareloch

P282 - HMS Severn departing Gareloch through Rhu narrows

HMS Severn

HMS Severn passing Roseneath

French frigate, La Motte-Picquet

Crew lined up on the deck of La Motte-Picquet

The mist lifting for La Motte-Picquet

HMS Northumberland heading for Glasgow

Battler and Bruiser escorting HMS Northumberland

HMS Northumberland passing BAE's Scotstoun yard

Bruiser prepares to take a line from the warship HMS Northumberland

HMS Northumberland approaching King George V dock in Glasgow