HMS Astute - Royal Navy Submarine - Arrives at Clyde Faslane Naval Base

The Royal Navy's largest and most powerful attack submarine arrived at Faslane Naval Base this morning.

Measuring nearly 328 ft in length she has started her sea trials and is expected to be handed over in around 18 months.

She sailed up the Gareloch to her new home for the first time with plenty media coverage of the event.

 Ambush, Artful, and Audacious have already been approved, and they should arrive at two yearly intervals.

I covered this event for the 'Defence Press Agency' as a contributor to the - Monitoring Matters - E-Zine.

HMS Astute Arrives at her new base for the first time

HMS Astute Nears to Berth at Faslane Naval Base

Commodore Chris Hockley, the naval base commander at HM Naval Base Clyde with HMS Astute in the Background

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Glasgow Transport Museum

A run in to Glasgow today for lunch.

Took a trip over to the Glasgow Museum of Transport while in the City.

The new building is expected to be ready for the public in the Spring of 2011.

 Bus Sign

 

 Old Street Scene

 

Old Cinema Interior

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Stills Photography Today - 'I Heart You' - Short Film in Glasgow

Taking 'stills' to promote the upcoming short film "I Heart You"

Some scenes indoors, and some outside in the Glasgow area.

Two Actors Prepare for their Scene

Enjoying Scene 'Set Up' Before Shooting

Messing Around on Set

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Myths & Legends Festival - Greenock, Inverclyde

Greenock's third  Myths & Legends Festival drew to a close with a fantastic firework display at the Battery Park.

This was preceded with 'Big Man Walking' closing of his tour off the Inverclyde District.

Weather started a bit wet, but I'm pleased to say it dried up in time for everyone to enjoy the fireworks.

Fireworks

More Fireworks

Yet More Fireworks

 

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Greenock & District Model Railway Club Exhibition, Inverclyde

Greenock & District Model Railway Club held their 24th Annual Exhibition  on 7/8 November in Greenock Town Hall.

The event was opened by Stuart McMillan MSP.

As usual there was a good mix of railway layouts and model ships & aircraft were also featured, with trade stands to tempt the enthusiast and families who attended.

Greenock Club Chairman Mike Jones with Stuart McMillan MSP

One of the many fantastic layouts

Birds-Eye View of the Centre Layouts

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Big Man Walking - Gourock, Inverclyde

The 'Big Man' continued his tour of Inverclyde this morning in Gourock.

Started fair again, but rain soon arrived to dampen the spirits.

However - the show must go on - and it did.

Primary School kids sing to the 'Big Man'

 

 Inverclyde Folk Club give their songs to the 'Big Man'

 Our wee fairy yet again braves the elements

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Big Man Walking - Port Glasgow, Inverclyde

'Big Man Walking' came to Inverclyde today - and best described as awesome.

We were lucky to catch it dry at the start - but the weather let us down badly as the parade was in full swing.

The 'Puppet Lab' created Scotland's first giant puppet - a giant 8 metre high man to walk through the towns and villages of Scotland.

Big Man Walking was a spectacular street event with this gigantic figure, and the atmosphere created was fantastic with everyone old and young joining in and having a great time.

 'BIG' is the word

 The parade makes it way up Princes Street

Gala King & Queen of Port Glasgow meet 'Big Man Walking' in Port Glasgow

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Darroch Park, Gourock, Scotland

First partly dry day in a while. Went to Gourock and grabbed a few pics.

 Red Autumn Leaves

 Duck in Pond

 

Autumn Leave

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Photography Field Day at Glasgow Botanic Gardens & Kibble Palace

We had a 'Field Day' as part of my 'Digital Photography' class at the  'University of the West of Scotland' - Paisley Campus.

The morning was spent going around the gardens and greenhouses - including the Kibble Palace.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and benefit from the advice given.

 A Happy Wee Squirrel

 Kibble Palace Dome

 Pigeon Keeps a Watchful Eye on Events

 

Statue in the Kibble Palace

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Defender (HMS) - Launched at BVT Yard in Govan Today

The launch of the Royal Navy's latest anti-air warfare destroyer took place this afternoon at 15:20

The Type 45 ship - named Defender - took to the water at BVT Surface Fleet's Govan shipyard.

Defender is the fifth of a fleet of six destroyers to be built, and is the eighth ship to bear the name.

The ceremony was broadcast live to the Transport Museum in Glasgow, where visitors to the museum watched the event on big screens.

The new ship is being affiliated with Glasgow and Exeter, and the launch ceremony was performed by Lady Massey, wife of Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey

(HMS) Defender is due to come into service next year

Crowds start to gather

Balloons and Fireworks go off as she slides down the slipway

Defender Hits the Water

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Queen Mary 2 (QM2) - Firework Display at Greenock

Greenock Esplanade was packed with locals and visitors who made the journey for the departure of Cunard's liner QM2.

They were not disappointed with the late departure as the Firework Display was worth the wait in the damp evening.

 Fireworks Add Atmosphere

 

Splash of Colour

 

Special Occasion for Greenock

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Queen Mary 2 (QM2) at Greenock

 The Cunard liner Queen Mary 2 made her first visit to Greenock this morning.

She looked awesome as she rounded the bend - and on to the Esplanade at 07:00 this morning.


 Queen Mary 2 - Canting Off Greenock Esplanade 

The Esplanade was busy with on-lookers who had braved the elements to watch the world's biggest ocean liner come up the River Clyde on her first visit.

Queen Mary 2 is the largest ship to have sailed up the Clyde and is currently the largest, longest, tallest, and widest ocean liner built.

The 151,400 ton vessel will depart around 18:30 - with a firework display to send her off on the next leg of her UK tour.

QM2 Docked at Greenock Ocean Terminal

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Wemyss Bay Station

Aborted effort to catch a glimpse of the Royal Scotsman luxury train.

Sadly it was a 'no show' on a rather cold and bleak Sunday afternoon.

Blue Loo

Guess Where?

Ornate Roof

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Faslane Naval Activity - Departures

Some departures from Faslane Naval Base - mostly after the debrief from the recent Joint Warrior Maritime Exercise

USS Warship Cole DDG 67

USS Warship Ramage DDG 61

 

USS Warship John L Hall FFG 32

 

HMS Shoreham - Minehunter - M112

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Cars of the Stars - Loch Lomond

Visited 'Cars of the Stars Scotland' today. Only opened in July 2009 and they have a collection of vehicles from the world of film and television.

 'The Saint' - Volvo P1800

 

'Herbie' The Love Bug VW Beetle

 

'Back to the Future' - Delorean Time Machine

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Garelochhead Railway Station - Steam Train Activity

Another wee run over and caught this 'double header'.

Much sunnier today, but unable to get photos as I would have liked as a Diesel was in the way.

Double Header (45407 & 62034 ) come through Garelochhead Station

 62034 Sitting in Garelochhead Station

DR 73934 - Plasser & Theurer 08-16/4x4C100-RT Tamper - Garelochhead

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Greenock Cemetery

 A lovely autumn day, so went to our local cemetery which has a host of plant life and subjects to photograph

It's also normally very peaceful - though sadly vandalised by mindless locals

Single Cross

 White Berries

Monument

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Lochnevis

Cal Mac's ferry - Lochnevis

Arrives at Greenock

Lochnevis enters Garvel dry dock

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Diamond On Sea Trials

She was escorted down the River Clyde heading out to open water to conduct her first of many sea trials before she is handed over to the Royal Navy. She will then be called HMS Diamond.

CMS Buster in Attendance Passing Newark Castle, Port Glasgow

Passing Port Glasgow

Passing Greenock Esplanade

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Newark Walk, Port Glasgow

A few pics while waiting on 'Diamond' to appear from upriver


Looking up river towards Parklea

 Small boats off Newark Castle

 

Looking towards the Pier

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Joint Warrior Maritime Exercise - October 2009

After  the last departure at Faslane I was heading back home. On my way I saw that the Canadians were late in leaving Glasgow so carried on down to Greenock.

Rewarded with these three images.

 HMCS Halifax Canadian FFH330 Frigate

 

 HMCS Athabaskan Canadian DDH282 Destroyer

 

HMCS Montreal Canadian FFH336 Frigate

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Joint Warrior Maritime Exercise - October 2009

Early morning start to get to Faslane Naval Base to see departure of HMS Illustrious and the others

MOD Defence Police in Support at Faslane

USS Ramage American - DDG 61 Destroyer

HMS Illustrious Departing Faslane Naval Base

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Around the river (Clyde)

 Absalon left earlier than expected.

Weather turned nasty as the day went on.

Danish Warship Absalon (L16)

Fireball off Greenock Esplanade between heat showers

 HMCS Preserver - a 24,000 ton Canadian Oil Replenishment ship

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Joint Warrior Exercise - 2009

Many arrivals today - but the weather was bleak and dreich. Not ideal for anyone but makes picture taking very hit 'n' miss.

Svitzer Tug Anglegarth escorting Canadian Warship to Glasgow

HMCS Athabaskan passing Port Glasgow on her way to Glasgow

Svitzer Tug Brunel on duty escorting warships to Glasgow

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month - 1 Devonshire Gardens, Glasgow

A few images from a session at '1 Devonshire Gardens' to launch 'Breast Cancer' awareness

Hard at work - but enjoyable for the team

 The happy party take a break

 Time for a well earned celebration after all the hard work

Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the UK - You Can Visit The Web Site by - CLICKING HERE

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.