CRSC charter: ‘relaxed and convivial’


Sound of Seil, Sound of Scarba, Argyll Flyer, Waverley

Dressed overall for CRSC’s evening cruise, Sound of Seil berths at McInroy’s Point at 7pm, against a backdrop of Sound of Scarba, Argyll Flyer and Waverley. Ali Cat has just passed out-of-picture on the left – CRSC copyright photo

We could not have made a more impressive start. While CRSC members and friends were gathering at McInroy’s Point on the evening of 21 June 2016, no fewer than five passenger-carrying ships crossed paths in front of us: you wouldn’t be able to organise it better.

In the foreground, Sound of Seil nudged her way towards the linkspan, dressed overall for our midsummer charter. Behind her, Sound of Scarba set off with a compliment of cars and commuters on the service run to Hunter’s Quay. Ali Cat, heading for Dunoon, passed Argyll Flyer, heading for Gourock. And there in the background, steaming downriver, was Waverley.

CRSC evening cruise ticket 21 June 2016This was one of the most relaxed and convivial events in CRSC’s recent excursion calendar — an evening cruise that felt like a private party. Sound of Seil’s spacious car deck was at our disposal, and there was ample time not just to talk to everyone on board, including Captain Roddy Buchan, but to savour the special evening light of midsummer.

We set off at an impressive lick, darting past a succession of sail boats from the Gourock yacht club. Hastened by a light breeze and the prospect of meeting Waverley up Loch Long, we took in the sights of Blairmore, Cove and Ardentinny before passing Finnart and fixing our gaze on the Arrochar Alps. Loch Long may not have been bathed in sunshine, but its forested landscape and quietly populated shoreline projected a timeless appeal.

Waverley — with her own charter party — turned at the mouth of Loch Goil, and was soon racing past to the accompaniment of frantic waving, siren sounds and clicking cameras. Time for speculation: when was the last occasion two Clyde excursion ships of different companies passed each other in Loch Long on an evening cruise? The consensus was that you would have to go back to the 1920s to find something similar.

Passing Waverley in Loch LongAfter proceeding a little further up the loch, we turned and cruised back towards open water, the headwind now encouraging many of our number to gather inside Sound of Seil’s passenger cabin, there to partake of a plentiful supply of tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits. We were soon passing Kilcreggan and turning towards the Ashton shore. The cruise, lasting just over two hours, had flown past.

This was Sound of Seil’s first evening excursion since — well, since a similar CRSC charter 12 months ago. Our latest venture enjoyed much better weather but engendered much the same feeling: a sense of camaraderie, of shared impressions, of common enjoyment of a special occasion.

In such conditions, and against all expectation, a utilitarian vehicle ferry takes on a new, engaging personality as cruise ‘steamer’. Thanks to Western Ferries for making Sound of Seil available, to Captain Buchan and his crew for their kind welcome, to chief engineer (and CRSC committee member) John Newth for facilitating the event, to Anne Mitchell for her catering expertise and to CRSC cruise coordinator Neil Guthrie for organising a memorable midsummer charter.

Neil Guthrie (centre) with others

CRSC cruise coordinator Neil Guthrie (centre) with Anne Mitchell, Stuart Deans, Marshall MacKinnon and Hazel O’Neill

John Newth and Captain Roddy Buchan

On the bridge: John Newth and Captain Roddy Buchan

Stewart Mungin and Tom Cakebread

Stewart Mungin and Tom Cakebread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iain Quinn and Margaret Shutt

Iain Quinn and Margaret Shutt

Waverley in Loch Long

Salute from Waverley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robin Copland and Ian Montgomery

Robin Copland and Ian Montgomery

Charles McCrossan and Ian McGhie

Charles McCrossan and Ian McGhie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robin Love and Craig Osborne

Robin Love and Craig Osborne

Robert Cleary and Graeme Hogg

Robert Cleary and Graeme Hogg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colin McNab

Colin McNab at the coffee point

Ken Mills and Billy Tomlinson

Sailing by: Ken Mills and Billy Tomlinson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Openshaw and Dougie Cuninghame

John Openshaw and Dougie Cuninghame

Marilyn and Willie Watson with Barbara Craig

Marilyn and Willie Watson with Barbara Craig

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRSC evening charter 21 June 2016 Loch Long

‘Sound of Seil’s spacious car deck was at our disposal — ample time to chat and savour the evening light’

Published on 22 June 2016