Portincaple | Clyde River and Firth

Portincaple from the water in 1952 (Valentine) Situated on Loch Long, directly opposite the entrance to Loch Goil, the hamlet of Portincaple hosted a ferry of some antiquity. With the advent of the steam-boat, the ferry was a calling point and the few residents and visitors could hail vessels on the Lochgoilhead and Arrochar stations. Greenock Telegraph, May 23, 1871 The coasters of the West Highland Trading Company were active in bringing coal and supplies to Lochlongside in the 1880s, and it was in the early 1880s that feuing was extended, coinciding with a proposal to build a railway from Helensburgh to Garelochhead and Portincaple. This eventually became a reality a decade later with the West Highland Line from Craigendoran. Glasgow Herald, May 27, 1880 “A station is to be placed at Portincaple, Loch Long, when the West Highland Railway is completed, and a new steamer will run...

The Marchioness of Graham was launched on March 6, 1936 from the Govan yard of the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. Ltd. She was 220 ft long and 30 ft in the beam with a draught of 10 ft and her two screws were driven by four steam turbines. She was designed for the Arran route from Ardrossan where the turbine predecessor, Atalanta, that she replaced, had a long career. She was indeed similar to Atalanta with a single tall funnel and had significant deck space that would allow her to carry motor vehicles. Marchioness of Graham on trials with Fairfield flag on the main mast (Salmon) Marchioness of Graham on trials (Robertson) Marchioness of Graham on trials (Adamson) This is a photographic salute to the Marchioness of Graham. Her history was largely uneventful and was mainly of the Arran service though she was also popular on excursions. Marchioness of Graham in the Kyles of...