Avro Lancaster flying over Largs

The sound of four Rolls Royce Merlin engines is not often heard over Scotland nowadays, but one of two remaining airworthy Lancasters flew over the seaside town of Largs as part of their annual Viking Festival.

The aircraft had been due to take part in other events over the weekend but technical issues and bad weather had delayed her departure from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

The WW2 bomber gave a special salute to local resident Duncan Currie who had been a navigator in the heavy bomber during the war. The promenade was crowded as locals and visitors watched the iconic aircraft provide a wonderful display.

A Trip Down the Coast

February has given us a mixed bag when it comes to weather and so a dry sunny afternoon drew me down the coast to enjoy the setting sun.

During the summer months the esplanade at Largs is a busy place, however even though the sun was out, there was a chill wind which kept most people away.

Next stop was Wemyss Bay where the coast is rockier. From here we watched the sun setting behind the Island of Bute.

Largs Pencilpoint monument

The year was 1263 and King Hakon of Norway had brought anarmy to attempt to reassert his sovreignty over the west of Scotland.

While his fleet was gathered in the Firth of Clyde fate and the weather forced several of his ships aground near what is now Largs.

The Scottish army arrived while Hakon's men were trying to salvage their ships and the now famous Battle of Largs took place on the beach.

The outcome of the battle was inconclusive and not considered to be of historical significance.

The pencil monument was construced in 1912 and Largs now holds an anual festival to comemorate the battle, 2013 being the 750th anniversary.

A trip on the Waverley, part 2

The Firth of Clyde has some wondeful scenery, not that I am in any way biased.

The rocky coastlines are littered with lighthouses, most of them no longer functioning, but still standing as a reminder of the dangers in the seas around them.

Here are some more pictures from my day out on the Waverley last week.

The 200 year old Little Cumbrae lighthouse has not been in use since 1997

Sailing away from Arran

The uninhabited island of Pladda off the south of Arran

Another lighthouse, this time on the south of Holy Isle in Lamlash Bay

Calmac ferry, Caledonian Isles, passing Goat Fell on the Island of Arran

Modern wind turbines overlooking Hunterston terminal and nuclear power stations

Largs beach with Nardini's ice cream parlour behind