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PIONEER
Nominated excursion – “Pioneer Farewell Cruise”
CalMac organised special sailing to mark vessel withdrawal.
Gourock, Largs Channel, between Cumbraes,
round south end of Bute, Tighnabruaich (time ashore),
Kyles of Bute, Rothesay Bay, Gourock
(Note: Pioneer was subsequently pressed back
into service a few days later on the Mallaig services
due to a technical fault with the new vessel – Lochnevis)
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A number of members joined CalMac’s PIONEER at Gourock, for what had been billed as her “Farewell Cruise”. We sailed down the Renfrewshire coast, past Largs and then between the Cumbraes, round the south end of Bute, and up to Tighnabruaich, where we were able to stretch our legs ashore. From there we sailed through the Narrows and down the East Kyle, meeting up with the WAVERLEY in Rothesay Bay. A brief race took place, which the paddler won, before the PIONEER returned to Gourock Pier.
Photographs: John Newth
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Pioneer at Tighnabruaich
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Pioneer at Tighnabruaich
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CRSC Pennant flying
on Pioneer for the last time |
As we now know, the PIONEER was to return to Mallaig a few days later, to replace the new vessel on the Skye service, which had suffered a major breakdown.
Photographs: Charles McCrossan
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| Kennilworth | Juno arriving at Gourock | Juno at Gourock |
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Pioneer arriving at Gourock
to take up charter
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Pioneer arriving at Gourock
to take up charter |
Pioneer at Tighnabruaich
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| Pioneer at Tighnabruaich | Last trip through the Kyles | Loch Dunvegan |
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Waverley heading for Largs
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Sunset as the day drew to an end
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Waverley seen arriving at Greenock
while on the way home
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Photograph: Eric Schofield
Pioneer at Tighnabruaich