Another day on Bute, this time featuring three turbine steamers photographed on colour transparency film. I don’t know whether this was 1951 or perhaps 1952, but the photographs feature the Clyde in the early post World War II days of British Railways and David MacBrayne steamers, before motor vessels began to displace them.
The first picture is the turbine steamer, the Marchioness of Graham, one of the three turbine steamers photographed that day. She looks well as she approaches Rothesay, perhaps on an excursion from Ayr.
Marchioness of Graham
The sequence continues on the way from Rothesay, showing yachts anchored in Port Bannatyne Bay.
A peaceful scene
The destination, Rhubodach, in reached with a view of a yacht sailing down the Kyles in light winds.
Sailing in the Kyles
The Rhubodach-Colintravie ferry, is on the Bute shore loading a Meikle and M‘Kellar removal van and a car. Perhaps the large crowd of foot passengers is heading to the Colintraive Hotel for lunch.
Loading at Rhubodach
The ferry has left on her crossing, and as she turns, her origins as a landing craft can be clearly identified. With the ramp down, the situation looks quite precarious. The dilapidated Colintraive Pier in the background was closed in 1946 after the end of World War II.
The Colintraive-Rhubodach Ferry
The reason for the visit must surely be to photograph the turbine steamers as they make their way past the point. The first to arrive is Queen Mary II, heading up to Tighnabruaich.
Queen Mary II heading to Tighnabruaich
The Saint Columba appears, returning from Ardrishaig.
Saint Columba speeding down the Kyles
The Saint Columba sweeps past Rhubodach.
Saint Columba passing Colintraive
Back to Rothesay where Saint Columba is coming into the pier. Duchess of Fife is at the pier waiting to return to Wemyss Bay.
Saint Columba approaching Rothesay Pier. Duchess of Fife is at the far berth
Saint Columba heads out of Rothesay Bay on her way to Greenock.
Saint Columba leaving Rothesay Bay
August 20, 2022
More excellent photos. The Colintraive ferryboat is the Eilean Mor, an ex wartime LCM (Landing Craft Mechanised) and the first car ferry operated by the Bute Ferry Company. The service started on 13 July 1950 and was officially opened on 20 July 1950. The vessel originally had no name on the bow, as seen in these photos. The name Eilean Mor was added sometime in 1951, and was changed to Eilean Mhor in 1954. The photos were thus taken in 1950 or 1951.
August 20, 2022
Thank you Stewart for narrowing down the time-frame for the photographs. A very interesting comment. Graham
September 5, 2022
Your images research and writings are inspiring. In 1963 I purchased a series of pen and ink water colors in Rothesay from an artist named Hall. If you would like me to e mail hi res images to you for your use I would be delighted for you to have them…
PS Duchess of Fife 1903
PS Jung 1898
PS Lucy Ashton 1888
PS Redgauntlet 1895
PS Jupiter 1896
June 19, 2024
Hi My late Father worked on the Saint Columba as Bosun, I grew up in Kames near Tighnabruaich. Lovely pictures. Interesting picture of the ” Graham” at Tighnabruaich, she did not call there very often.