Toggle navigation
News
Latest
Queries
Articles
Slideshows
On this day
Locations
Companies
Contributors
Maps
Slideshows
On this day
Locations
Companies
Maps
More
Queries
Articles
Slideshows
On this day
Locations
Companies
Contributors
Maps
Piers On The Firth Of Clyde
All photographs of this railway in date order.
![Arrochar Hotel and Pier, looking south.<br><br>[Ewan Crawford //]](/images/0/880.jpg "Arrochar Pier")
![The original Victorian pier buildings at Rothesay in the 1950s with the two-funneled <I>Queen Mary II</I> alongside. She gained a new larger single funnel when re-boilered and converted to oil-burning in 1957. [Old family photograph]<br>
<br><br>[Colin Miller Collection //]](/images/47000/47261.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![TS <I>Queen Mary II</I> photographed approaching Gourock Pier on 25 August 1965.<br><br>[G W Robin 25/08/1865]](/images/46000/46644.jpg "Gourock Pier")
![PS Waverley at Arrochar Pier in September 1955.<br><br>[A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 06/09/1955]](/images/36000/36895.jpg "Arrochar Pier")
![Ex-LNER DEPV <i>Talisman</i> approaching Rothesay from the north west in September 1955.<br><br>[A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 07/09/1955]](/images/36000/36985.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![The ex-LNER paddle steamer 'Waverley' off Dunoon in September 1955, with the light beacon on the Gantock rocks in the background. (A location with which she would become all too familiar in 1977.)<br><br>[A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 07/09/1955]](/images/37000/37498.jpg "Dunoon Pier")
![The paddle steamer <I>Jupiter</I>, built on the Clyde by Fairfield, Govan, for the Caledonian Steam Packet Co in 1937. The ship is seen here heading out of Rothesay on 25 September 1955 and will soon turn sharply to starboard making for Wemyss Bay.<br><br>[A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 25/09/1955]](/images/36000/36942.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![The paddle steamer 'Waverley' approaching Rothesay from the east in September 1955.<br><br>[A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 26/09/1955]](/images/37000/37607.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![The paddle steamer <I>Waverley</I> approaching Gourock in August 1957.<br><br>[A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 02/08/1957]](/images/37000/37168.jpg "Gourock Pier")
![The former Caledonian Steam Packet Company paddle steamer <I>'Jupiter'</I>, approaching Wemyss Bay in August 1957.<br><br>[A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 16/08/1957]](/images/37000/37429.jpg "Wemyss Bay Pier")
!['Queen Mary II' photographed on the approach to Gourock on 5 September 1957. [See image 35375]<br><br>[A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 05/09/1957]](/images/37000/37143.jpg "Gourock Pier")
![Former Caledonian Steam Packet Company TS <I>Duchess of Hamilton</I>, photographed at Rothesay on 12 September 1957.<br><br>[A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 12/09/1957]](/images/37000/37125.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![The ex-Caledonian Steam Packet Co TS <I>'Duchess of Hamilton'</I> heading north east out of Rothesay in September 1957. [With thanks to Colin Miller] <br><br>[A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 12/09/1957]](/images/37000/37570.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![DEPV <i>Talisman</i> photographed at Rothesay in September 1958.<br><br>[A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 24/09/1958]](/images/37000/37261.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![The ex-LNER paddle steamer <I>Jeanie Deans</I> leaves Rothesay well laden in the summer of 1963.<br>
<br><br>[Colin Miller //1963]](/images/33000/33170.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![The paddle steamer <I>Waverley</I> leaves Rothesay in the summer of 1963, packed with passengers.<br>
<br><br>[Colin Miller //1963]](/images/33000/33715.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![The Caledonian Steam Packet Co's TS <I>Queen Mary II</I> arriving at Rothesay in July 1963 loaded with passengers. Built with two funnels, rebuilt with one and latterly static in the Thames as a restaurant with two dummy funnels. [Editors note: <I>Queen Mary II</I> was recently put up for sale and became the subject of an online auction which took place on 24 August 2011. The vessel is since reported as having been sold to a private UK buyer]<br><br>[Colin Miller /07/1963]](/images/35000/35375.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![PS <I>Caledonia</I> photographed in the Kyles of Bute on 22 August 1965.<br><br>[G W Robin 22/08/1965]](/images/45000/45773.jpg "Kyles of Bute")
![A Clyde Hover Ferries hovercraft on the beach at Rothesay in August 1965. More traditional modes of transport are represented by <I>Cowal, Loch Fyne</I> and <I>Talisman</I> in the background.<br><br>[G W Robin 23/08/1965]](/images/45000/45881.jpg "Rothesay")
![TS <I>Queen Mary II</I> leaving Rothesay Pier on 25 August 1965. <br><br>[G W Robin 25/08/1965]](/images/47000/47264.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![PS <I>Caledonia</I> approaching Rothesay Pier in the summer of 1965. <br><br>[G W Robin 25/08/1965]](/images/47000/47382.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![TS <I>Duchess of Hamilton</I> approaching Wemyss Bay pier on 27 August 1965. <br><br>[G W Robin 27/08/1965]](/images/46000/46382.jpg "Wemyss Bay")
![PS <I>Caledonia</I> approaching Gourock Pier in August 1965.<br><br>[G W Robin 27/08/1965]](/images/48000/48116.jpg "Gourock Pier")
![DEPV Talisman leaving Largs on 27 August 1965.<br><br>[G W Robin 27/08/1965]](/images/48000/48184.jpg "Largs Pier")
![The worlds first diesel electric paddle vessel <I>Talisman</I> arriving at Largs from Millport on a Sunday in July 1966. Built for the London and North Eastern Railway in 1935 by A & J Inglis (later builders of PS Waverley) at Pointhouse on the Clyde, she was withdrawn shortly after this picture was taken and eventually scrapped at Arnott Youngs, Dalmuir. <br>
<br><br>[Colin Miller /07/1966]](/images/35000/35311.jpg "Largs Pier")
![<i>Talisman</i> calling at Largs in July 1966, not long before her withdrawal. [See image 35311]<br><br>[Colin Miller /07/1966]](/images/37000/37092.jpg "Largs Pier")
![TS Duchess of Hamilton in Brodick Bay on 31 May 1969 whilst returning to Brodick Pier to collect passengers on the Clyde River Steamer Club's 80th Anniversary of the Caledonian Steam Packet Company cruise.<br><br>[John McIntyre 31/05/1969]](/images/61000/61745.jpg "Brodick Pier")
![MV <I>'Keppel'</I> off Millport in 1970. Ex-<i>'Rose'</i>, one of three vessels built for the BR Tilbury - Gravesend ferry service in 1960/61. The others were 'Catherine' and 'Edith'. Sold to the Caledonian Steam Packet Co in April 1967 and, after modifications, entered Clyde service in June that year. [See image 37969 showing one of her sisters at Tilbury Riverside].<br><br>[Colin Miller //1970]](/images/37000/37978.jpg "Millport Pier")
![Ex-Caledonian Steam Packet Co TS <I>'Duchess of Hamilton'</I> leaving Keppel Pier, Cumbrae, for Ayr on 5th September 1970 during her final days prior to withdrawal.<br><br>[Colin Miller 05/09/1970]](/images/47000/47169.jpg "Keppel Pier")
![Incarnation of the ferry MV <i>Rhum</i> at Lochranza in 1984. Great fun to watch drivers who couldn't reverse trying to disembark. <br><br>[Colin Miller //1984]](/images/42000/42032.jpg "Lochranza Pier")
![Pioneer, seen here alongside at Rothesay at 11.45 on 19-7-94, was quite distinctive - nothing else like her. She does have a port funnel as well, unlike some of today's bizarre designs!<br>
<br>
'Pioneer' was an extra sailing - all she carried was a gas tanker which could not go by the timetabled ferry for safety reasons.<br>
<br>
As far as traceable, she became MV Brenda Corlett of Corlett Lines when sold by Calmac in 2004, and still operates in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa. She is now 42 years old.<br><br>[Colin Miller 19/07/1994]](/images/57000/57352.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![PS Waverley on the unique call at Portencross Pier in 1995.<br><br>[Colin Miller //1995]](/images/63000/63265.jpg "Portencross Pier")
![In a view taken from the Oban to Glasgow seaplane service on 4 July 2008 PS Waverley is seen leaving Kilcreggan Pier and sailing west down the Clyde.<br><br>[Malcolm Chattwood 04/07/2008]](/images/54000/54388.jpg "Kilcreggan Pier")
![One of Calmac's largest Loch class ferries arrives at Rhubodach after completing the operator's shortest crossing from Colintraive on 6 July 2008. The photograph was taken from an aircraft on the short-lived scheduled Oban to Glasgow seaplane service.<br><br>[Malcolm Chattwood 06/07/2008]](/images/54000/54270.jpg "Rhubodach")
![PS <I>Waverley</I> sets off across the Tail of the Bank from Helensburgh heading for the next port of call, Dunoon during the Saturday 22 August 2009 Clyde cruise from Glasgow to Tighnabruaich. With Gourock over the bow and with many passengers enjoying the sea breeze and sunshine on the upper deck of the former LNER Clyde paddle steamer.<br><br>[John McIntyre 22/08/2009]](/images/25000/25161.jpg "Helensburgh Pier")
![On 24th August 2010 PS Waverley draws astern from the pier at Tarbert to undertake a short cruise on Loch Fyne as MV Isle of Cumbrae heads for the ferry slip on a service from Portavadie. <br><br>[Malcolm Chattwood 24/08/2010]](/images/62000/62540.jpg "Tarbert (Loch Fyne)")
![The CalMac Ferry MV <i>Saturn</i> approaching Brodick Pier, Arran, on 16 July 2011 following the crossing from Ardrossan Harbour [see image 15068].<br><br>[John Steven 16/07/2011]](/images/41000/41893.jpg "Brodick Pier")
![Passengers arriving at Brodick off the Ardrossan Ferry [see image 41893] can reach Kintyre following a 14 mile road trip north to link with the Lochranza - Claonaig Ferry. MV <I>Loch Riddon</I> boards at Lochranza Pier on 18 July 2011.<br><br>[John Steven 18/07/2011]](/images/41000/41909.jpg "Lochranza Pier")
![PS <i>Waverley</i> photographed on 21 July 2011 approaching Brodick Pier on the Isle Of Arran.<br><br>[John Steven 21/07/2011]](/images/40000/40049.jpg "Brodick Pier")
![MV 'Caledonian Isles' berthed at Brodick, Arran, following the crossing from Ardrossan on 21 July 2011.<br><br>[John Steven 21/07/2011]](/images/41000/41981.jpg "Brodick Pier")
![The MV <I>Loch Tarbert</I> off-loads its sole vehicle on arrival at Lochranza from Claonaig in June 2012. The return journey had a full load - with our vehicle alarm operating twice on the crossing to provide additional entertainment. [See image 41909]<br><br>[David Pesterfield 19/06/2012]](/images/42000/42030.jpg "Lochranza Pier")
![CalMac Ferry MV Loch Riddon approaches Lochranza slipway on Arran to form the 12.00 return crossing to Claonaig terminal on Kintyre on 17 June 2013<br><br>[David Pesterfield 17/06/2013]](/images/62000/62296.jpg "Lochranza Pier")
![Builders Plate on CalMac ferry MV Loch Riddon, seen on the crossing from Lochranza on Arran to Claonaig on Kintyre, showing it to be boat H954 constructed, in 1986, at Dunston's Hessle shipyard on the north bank of the Humber Estuary in East Yorkshire. The previous boat built in the yard was sister CalMac ferry MV Loch Linnhe, whose builders plate shows it as boat H953. A total of four ferries were built for CalMac that year. The Yard ceased shipbuilding in 1994<br><br>[David Pesterfield 17/06/2013]](/images/62000/62310.jpg "Lochranza Pier")
![A view of Lochranza slipway on Arran, from the Calmac Ferry <I>MV Loch Riddon</I> as it starts its 30 minute journey across the Kilbrannan Sound to Claonaig on Kintyre. 17th June 2013.<br><br>[David Pesterfield 17/06/2013]](/images/62000/62353.jpg "Lochranza Pier")
![A view of Claonaig slipway, on the Kintyre peninsula, taken from the Calmac Ferry <I>MV Loch Riddon</I> as it nears the end of its journey across the Kibrannan Sound from Lochranza on the Isle of Arran. 17th June 2013.<br><br>[David Pesterfield 17/06/2013]](/images/62000/62368.jpg "Claonaig")
![Ex LNER, CSPCo and for the past 40 years WSNCo. PS <I>Waverley</I> leaving Ayr on 17 July 2013 bound for Millport, Largs etc. and eventually Tarbert, Loch Fyne.<br><br>[Colin Miller 17/07/2013]](/images/43000/43830.jpg "Ayr Pier")
![PS <I>Waverley</I> nears Largs pier on 30 July 2013.<br><br>[Bill Roberton 30/07/2013]](/images/44000/44009.jpg "Largs Pier")
![PS <I>Waverley</I>, engine astern, prepares to berth at Largs Pier on 31 July 2013.<br><br>[Colin Miller 31/07/2013]](/images/44000/44040.jpg "Largs Pier")
![The paddle steamer <I>Waverley</I> calls at Tighnabruaich on 1 August 2015 whilst on a cruise from Glasgow. Behind the ex LNER steamer is the Island of Bute. In the building at the entrance to the pier were poster boards still displaying 'British Railways' in Scottish Region colours.<br><br>[John McIntyre 01/08/2015]](/images/52000/52410.jpg "Tighnabruaich Pier")
![Compass Pier at Ayr Harbour on 10 August, with PS <I>Waverley</I> departing for Brodick, etc. She has to have her bow hauled round on the bow rope by the windlass to line her up for the harbour mouth, particularly with a good-going south - wester. Then it's full-ahead! <br><br>[Colin Miller 10/08/2015]](/images/52000/52232.jpg "Ayr Harbour")
![MV <I>Maid of Glencoul</I>, with its distinctive corner loading ramps, at Rothesay Pier on 25th July 2016. It was previously used on the Corran Ferry across Loch Linnhe but is just now the <I>Reserve</I> for <I>MV Corran</I>, which operates that crossing [See image 55993], and berthed some distance away should it be required.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/07/2016]](/images/56000/56001.jpg "Rothesay Pier")
![MV <I>Loch Dunvegan</I> pulls away from the slipway at Rhubodach to cross the Kyle of Bute to Colintraive. The vessel was made redundant from its original route by the Skye Bridge. [See image 54270] for an elevated view of the same location. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/07/2016]](/images/56000/56219.jpg "Rhubodach")
![Calmac <I>MV Argyle</I>, making its way from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay, as seen from the lounge of sister ship <I>MV Bute</I>, crossing the Firth of Clyde in the opposite direction on 25th July 2016. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 25/07/2016]](/images/56000/56255.jpg "Wemyss Bay")
![PS Waverley at speed off Wemyss Bay on 11 July 2017. Unfortunately she has been off service for several days now due to repairs to her air-pump. Not ideal at the height of the Clyde season.<br><br>[Colin Miller 11/07/2017]](/images/60000/60221.jpg "Wemyss Bay Pier")
![Kilcreggan Pier, with its surviving signalling tower, on 30th July 2017. In the background the 112,000T <I>Caribbean Princess</I> departs Greenock on a British Isles cruise, next stop Invergordon. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 30/07/2017]](/images/60000/60319.jpg "Kilcreggan Pier")
![Western Ferries vessel <I>Sound of Scarba</I> at the Hunter's Quay terminal, seen from departing sister ship <I>Sound of Shuna</I> heading for McInroy's Point at Gourock on 23rd October 2017. The four ships in the fleet provide a frequent and efficient service across the Clyde from the Cowal peninsula.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 23/10/2017]](/images/61000/61545.jpg "Hunter^s Quay (Dunoon)")
![An image of 'Southsea's sister ship 'Shanklin' renamed as 'Prince Ivanhoe'. She is approaching Largs in the early summer of 1981. Purchased from Sealink by a company connected to the Waverley operation and operated by Waverley Excursions she was brought to Glasgow on the 21st of November 1980, refurbished and renamed for April 1981. 1981 was her only season, for on 3rd August while under the command of a relief master, she grounded in Port Eynon Bay in the Bristol Channel and became a total loss. All passengers were safely evacuated. By a year later she was a pile of unrecognisable scrap steel.<br><br>[Colin Miller 11/03/2018]](/images/63000/63283.jpg "Largs Pier")
![Tighnabruaich Pier, looking down the Kyle of Bute, on the evening of 31st March 2018. Unfortunately the <I>PS Waverley</I> wasn't present on this occasion [See image 52410] but the Arran mountains can be seen in the distance. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 31/03/2018]](/images/63000/63564.jpg "Tighnabruaich Pier")
![The view inland from Tighnabruaich Pier on 31st March 2018. Pleasure cruises still call here in the summer, including the <I>PS Waverley</I>. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 31/03/2018]](/images/63000/63607.jpg "Tighnabruaich Pier")
![<I>MV Red Baroness</I>, a versatile landing-craft design operated by Troon Tug Co Ltd (a sort of modern day <I>Clyde Puffer</I>), makes its way through the Kyles of Bute with a cargo of fish farm supplies on a dreich 3rd April 2018. In the background <I>MV Loch Dunvegan</I> is at Rhubodach about to return to Colintraive.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 03/04/2018]](/images/63000/63570.jpg "Rhubodach")
![On 3rd April 2018 the slipways on either side of the Kyles of Bute crossing were part way through a comprehensive rebuild and <I>MV Loch Dunvegan</I> was operating from a temporary slipway, slightly to the south of the usual facility at Colintraive.<br><br>[Mark Bartlett 03/04/2018]](/images/63000/63598.jpg "Colintraive")
![Calmac <I>MV Loch Dunvegan</I> is mid way across the narrow eastern Kyle of Bute on a misty morning in April 2018. This image, taken from the viewpoint on the A8003 Tighnabruaich road, shows the point where Loch Riddon meets the Kyles at the northern tip of Bute. <br><br>[Mark Bartlett 07/04/2018]](/images/63000/63632.jpg "Colintraive")
