Yuan Hui Hai

Chinese registered bulk carrier Yuan Hui Hai sailed up to Glasgow under cover of dark last week, but she came back down empty and sitting high in the water at a better time of day.

The 225 metre ship passed me at Port Glasgow on her way to Falmouth.

The Royal Scotsman

Luxury train travel has arrived in Gourock, but not for commuters.

Costing over £3000 for a four day journey around Scotland, The Royal Scotsman provides the highest levels of comfort available.

Her locomotives for this journey were a pair of class 66 GB Railfreight diesel engines, which I had not seen before on this train.

The Royal Scotsman hauled by GBRf loco 66735 through Greenock Central Station

66735 sitting at Gourock Station

Observation car's veranda provides a unique way to enjoy the journey

The Royal Scotsman's Observation carriage

66732 arrived in the afternoon to haul the train on the next part of her journey

GB Railfreight loco 66732

66732, named after GBRf's first managing director

Luxury

66735 preparing for departure

Passing through Fort Matilda station

The Royal Scotsman heading for her next destination

Argyll and the Crinan Canal

Whenever I think of the Crinan Canal I immediately think of the exploits of Para Handy and the Vital Spark. Seeing the canal in real life brought me just as much joy as watching the TV episodes of the wee puffer sailing around the West of Scotland.

Argyll is a beautiful county and is steeped in history. My trip started at Ardrishaig and followed the canal and through part of Kilmartin Glen.

More pictures can be found on my gallery

The Crinan Canal at Ardrishaig on Loch Fyne

The canal has several locks along its length....

....and provides a shortcut for for sailors heading for the Western Isles.

The last lock before exiting the canal at Crinan

Standing stones at Nether Largie in Kilmartin Glen

Sun glinting in Kilmartin Burn which passes near the stones

Kilmartin Parish Church is home to many sculptured graveslabs

Sunset over Crinan Hotel

Lysblink Seaways

My first post for a few weeks as the Lysblink Seaways is taken from Inchgreen Drydock where she had been taken after running aground off the West of Scotland 2 months ago.

The 120 metre long cargo ship had grounded near Ardnamurchan while travelling from Belfast to Norway on February this year and had been brought to Greenock for repairs.

Svitzer tugs Anglegarth and Ayton Cross moved the ship to Roseneath Pier this morning.

Stirling and Doune Castles

Historic Scotland membership is great value for money, but to make it even better why not visit 2 sites in one day?

First stop was Stirling Castle, a place I have been several times in the past.

Robert the Bruce statue outside Stirling Castle

Forework and circular towers

Colours of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in the regimental museum

One of the Stirling Heads which adorned the ceiling of the King's Inner Hall in the palace.

Stirling Castle commands a vantage point over the surrounding land

Eight miles to the north-west of Stirling lies Doune Castle, home of Robert of Albany, Regent of Scotland from 1388 till 1420.

The castle has taken on a new role in more recent times, recognisable to many as one of the location used in the making of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, along with other films and television dramas.

Doune Castle

Great Hall with central fire basket

The Lord's Hall, with timber panelling and minstrel's gallery above

Saltire flying from the top of the castle

View of the kitchen from inside the large fireplace

Courtyard and well

Glencoe

As promised to myself, we took another very enjoyable trip up the A82 with the aim of visiting Glencoe.

Just short of Bridge of Orchy, the pyramid shaped Beinn Dorain caught our eye again and so we stopped for a couple of photographs.

The Rio Tinto Alcan train runs regularly to Fort William with a cargo of alumina and we were on time to see it coming back down the line.

Next stop was Lochan na h-Achlaise where the distant snow-topped mountains were reflecting beautifully in the still water.

We eventually reached Kingshouse Hotel where we stopped in the carpark for a cuppa and a sandwich. The wildlife inhabitants soon came by to visit us and were happy to pose to have their photographs taken.

After our break it was time to get back on the road. We drove into Glen Coe and parked the car for a walk up the Devil's Staircase. The uphill walk was long and tiring but the hike was worth the energy spent. Once at the summit, which still had patches of snow lying, we had a view towards the Mamores beyond Kinlochleven.

We left the footpath and headed west for a view of the Three Sisters, three shoulders of Bidean nam Bian, the highest peak in Argyll. Although the day was generally bright and sunny there was a haze which hung around most of the time.

Back at the base of the Devil's Staircase it was time for another coffee and sandwich to replenish ourselves and for one last photo opportunity before leaving Glencoe.

At the foot of Buachaille Etive Mor is Lagnagarbh Hut which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and provides accomodation, mainly for climbers.

On our way home we stopped at Loch Tulla in time for the sun setting on a very enjoyable day out. There are still many areas of Glencoe to be explored, so I'm sure I will have at least one more visit this year.