The title image of Dr David Scott’s contribution to Members Night showed Duchess of Fife at Millport Old Pier – a rare colour photograph of the 1903 paddler, taken by the late Ian Duncan in 1952, a year before she was withdrawn from service
Our February meeting in the comfortable surroundings of the Maldron Hotel, Glasgow, saw the return of the ever-popular Members Night. The speakers this time round were David Scott, James Fisher and Cameron Wilson. Gregor MacDowall reports on an evening that proved to be ‘as entertaining as it was varied’.
Jeanie Deans, a rare visitor to Millport, was captured there by local photographer Walter Kerr in the early 1960s
David opened the proceedings with ‘Millport Memories’, recalling boyhood holidays and later visits. He explored old photographs and postcards of the steamers and vessels that served his beloved Millport from Duchess of Fife in the early postwar era to the retirement of Keppel in the late 1980s. We were treated to images of Marchioness of Graham, Marchioness of Lorne and the iconic Talisman — the last dedicated Millport steamer.
David also showed visiting steamers over the years (including Jeanie Deans at the Old Pier in the early 1960s, captured by Millport photographer Walter Kerr), along with the short-lived hovercraft service. The final appearance was, of course, Keppel, which lasted until the ferry moved to the Tattie Pier (now known as Cumbrae Slip). David finished with the lyrics “Those Were the Days, My Friend”, which added a touch of melancholy to a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable presentation.
James Fisher grew up on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond — at a later date than this scene showing one of the 19th century loch paddlers at Ardlui
James followed with ‘From A to C and a Few Boats In Between’. We started our journey on the banks of Loch Lomond — in James’s native Ardlui, with an 1880s photograph of a North Britain Railway steamer at the pier. We were treated to a trip down the loch, taking in the sight of horse-drawn coaches setting off from Rowardennan for Loch Katrine, as well as Maid of the Loch and Sir Walter Scott. An unusual CRSC interest in sheep farming was sparked by a postcard showing a herd of rams waiting to board a steamer, demonstrating the traffic carried on Loch Lomond in the 19th century. Crossing to Arrochar, we were shown some stunning pictures of Loch Long, one of them featuring Jeanie Deans in 1932-35 condition and a somewhat haphazard torpedo range.
From there we transitioned to a ‘More Modern’ section, starring scenes witnessed from or with Waverley over the past 30 years. The ‘Streakers’, Pioneer and Balmoral — all common sights not so long ago on the Clyde — flashed up on the projection screen, as well as Dalmarnock, the sludge boat which, slightly more happily, has also been consigned to history. We were treated to a photograph of Waverley calling at Otter Ferry, where James’s father hailed from, and we finished on the Crinan Canal, with a well documented trip by the steam yacht Carola.
As well as two stunning videos, Cameron’s selection included several ‘four-in-one’ combinations of Oban-based ferries, including this one showing Coruisk and Loch Fyne arriving at and leaving Craignure
Cameron closed the night with a photographic tour centred on Oban in 2023. In glorious west coast weather, we caught sight of the usual Oban suspects, along with Hebrides unusually filling in for Clansman. Cameron duly took Hebrides to Craignure, where he not only captured the CalMac ferry in a unique shot with Waverley, but also made a video of the paddler backing out into the Sound of Mull, bathed in the evening sunlight.
The next day, in just as stunning weather, Cameron took us on a trip on Waverley to Armadale, where we witnessed Coruisk and Loch Fyne, the former spinning in circles (again dramatically captured on video) while Waverley took up the sole berth! A sunset cruise back to Oban capped off the trip, which left all who saw it with the desire to travel on the west coast this coming summer.
The three presentations were as entertaining as they were varied: by general consent this was an evening well spent. Our thanks to the three speakers and to Robert Newth for filming the presentations: paid up members of CRSC can view all three videos in this Members Only post.
Passengers flock ashore from Waverley during her unique call at Otter Ferry on 11 April 1993 — an event captured on camera by James Fisher
The steam yacht Carola of 1898 in the Crinan Canal, an event documented by James Fisher during his CRSC presentation on 12 February
David Scott, James Fisher and Cameron Wilson are all well-known members of CRSC. Have you joined this friendly association of ship enthusiasts? Click here for your £15 introductory membership and you’ll get all the benefits, including CRSC’s highly prized colour magazine, the annual Review of west coast shipping and exclusive access to photo-rich ‘members only’ posts on this website.
Three generations of CRSC were represented at the 12 February Members Night: David Scott, James Fisher and Cameron Wilson in relaxed mood at the end of their presentations
Published on 15 February 2025