US sub heading for Faslane

One of the US navy's Virginia class subs paid a visit to Faslane naval base today.

She was escorted by a pair of Serco tugs and the MOD police as she came through Rhu narrows this morning.

New Lanark conservation village

New Lanark cotton mills were founded in 1796 near the Falls of Clyde. Water was drawn off from the river to power the spinning machinery.

The mill owner, Robert Owen, provided social and welfare reforms, including the first infant school in Britain.

In 1968 the mills closed down and the village is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

More pictures can be found on my Picasa site

Dundaff Linn on the Falls of Clyde

Water ran along this open channel to power the water wheels

Mill Number One was demolished and rebuilt as New Lanark Mill Hotel

The bell in the bell tower used to summon the workers to the mills

A millworker's house, now a museum

Profits from the village store were fed back into the community

Musicians on the gallery provided music for dance lessons in the classroom

Inverkip Power Station

The scene is a tranquil summer's evening overlooking the Firth of Clyde and the remaining buildings of the little used Inverkip power station.

There was a large gathering of small boats around the bay, all waiting and watching as if something was about to happen.

The chimney had not seen much smoke in its 30 plus years as Scotland's tallest free standing structure.

All was about to change, as at exactly 10pm a series of explosive charges were about to bring the massive tower to the ground.

The deadly charge that was about to ignite the explosives can be seen streaking towards the chimney.

The top section of the chimney starts its downward journey as a second explosion signals the end of the lower section

Clouds of smoke and dust blow up through the flues of the chimney as she continues to the ground

The bottom section falls away to the left as the top section drops vertically

All that can be seen is the bottom section about to crash to the ground

A column of smoke and dust pays homage to the now fallen chimney.

The view over the river is now obscured by a massive dust cloud engulfing the valley.

Azamara Quest

Although we've had a steady flow of cruise ships coming into Greenock this summer, I haven't managed down to see as many as I would have liked.

I did however, see Azamara Quest leaving this evening. She is heading round to the east coast of Scotland where its golfing party are reportedly paying a visit to the open golf tournament at Muirfiled.

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace's spectacular jousting event is so much more than the name suggests.

Costumed men and women portrayed a variety of lifestyles and trades to the assembled masses.

Historic Scotland once again have put on a first class show.

Linlithgow Palace

Re-enactment of the Battle of Largs

A falconer

Weapons and armour

Colourful costumes

Who will buy these beautiful hand made boots?

A medievil board game

Back to the main business of the day

A direct hit on the return run

Battle resumes on foot

Jousting at Linlithgow Palace

My return visit to Linlithgow for this year's jousting exhibition was every bit as enjoyable as my first trip here last summer.

The weather was fabulous which helped to enhance an already excellent day out.

'The Knights of Royal England' were more than welcome on the peel at Linlithgow Palace as they provided a wonderful day's entertainment for the large audience.

Not all of the action took place on horseback. There was plenty of hand to hand combat as well, as you will see below.

Some more pictures from today are on a second post here

Bo'ness and Kinneil railway

Our first stop on a day of travelling back in time took us to the beautifully preserved Bo'ness railway station.

On hauling duty this morning was steam loco 75254, built in 1945 and painted in her original War Department colour.

In 1963 she was sold to the National Coal Board from where she was acquired by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society who restored her to the wonderful condition she is in today.