Favourite ‘streaker’: Juno arriving at Dunoon c2000, with a Western Ferries vessel in the distance on the right
Cameron Wilson is one of CRSC’s leading younger-generation members. A longstanding contributor to the Club’s Facebook page (of which he is now ‘admin’), he regularly posts videos profiling ferries up and down the west coast — a habit he has developed on the back of his job as a tour guide with the sightseeing company Rabbie’s. Stuart Craig asked Cameron to answer some questions for our popular ‘On the Spot’ series: here are his answers.
What is your earliest memory of sailing on a steamer or ferry?
I have a couple. One is getting a look round the bridge of MV Juno with my grandmother on a sailing from Dunoon to Gourock. The other is again thanks to my grandparents: their house overlooks the water at Hunter’s Quay, so seeing all the ships passing, as well as the Western Ferries vessels constantly coming and going, was what got me hooked!
One of Cameron’s earliest contributions to the CRSC website was this photo of Sound of Seil during Storm Abigail in 2016
What was the last sailing you took?
Crossing from Kylerhea to Glenelg on the turntable ferry MV Glenachulish. It was a working trip — I was taking a tour group off the Isle of Skye. In terms of personal travels, it was an Arran return earlier this summer, going from Ardrossan to Brodick on Isle of Arran and back to Troon on Alfred.
Imagine the eagerly awaited Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa are in service on the Arran run. Where would you put Caledonian Isles?
I’d say she’d probably be best suited to the Oban to Craignure route: her capacity and ample outdoor space would make the crossing very pleasant.
Do you have a favourite steamer or ferry?
My two current favourites in the fleet are Isle of Arran and Lord of the Isles. I also have a soft spot for the small fleet, in particular Isle of Cumbrae and for some reason Loch Bhrusda. But also not forgetting Waverley of course!
If Queen Mary were return to operation, how would you utilise her?
I would like to see her doing something similar to Waverley — excursions round the West Coast, whether it be on the Clyde or elsewhere. It would certainly be nice to have her in operation.
‘Perfect ferry’: Lord of the Isles powers her way towards the Sea of the Hebrides on the Oban-Outer Isles run. Click on image to enlarge
What was your favourite ‘streaker’, and why?
Juno — thanks to the previously mentioned first memory! Hard to choose between the three, however, as they all had their quirks.
A brand new paddle steamer is being built for Clyde service. What name would you give it?
Jeanie Deans would probably be my choice. Although she was a bit before my time, she certainly seemed to be a favourite amongst enthusiasts, so I think the name would be fitting.
Looking back, what is the perfect example of the Clyde steamer, or Hebridean ferry?
For me, Lord of the Isles is the perfect ferry — a vessel that can go anywhere. She has served a wide variety of islands and routes, whenever she has had to, so trying to design a replacement will be no easy task.
What would you like to see happen on the Clyde or Hebridean ferry scene over the next few years?
Reliability: hopefully that will come with the new vessels arriving in the next few years. It will be an interesting change having six major vessels entering service and some of our favourites departing. It is intriguing trying to work out where these vessels might end up in coming years.
‘Nice ways of interacting with other enthusiasts’: Cameron Wilson (left) at the launch of Glen Rosa at the Ferguson Marine shipyard, Port Glasgow, on 9 April 2024, with fellow CRSC members Neil Guthrie, Andrew Clark and Douglas Brown
The best point-to-point route you’ve sailed on?
One of my favourite sailings was when I went on Isle of Arran last year from Kennacraig to Oban via Port Askaig and Colonsay. I also really enjoyed doing the Oban to Barra run via Coll and Tiree on Clansman. It is very hard to choose which is my all-time favourite. I’m gonna go with Barra — but only just!
Which new west coast route would you like to see open up?
I’d firstly like to see the Ardrossan to Campbeltown sailings return — hopefully next year. Otherwise, a route that doesn’t exist any more but I’ve always thought would be nice is potentially a summer-only passenger service from Oban to Tobermory. Perhaps, when Dunoon gets new vessels and Argyll Flyer becomes surplus to requirements, she could be assigned to such a route: with her good top speed, blasting up the Sound of Mull on a sunny day could be enjoyable!
What inspired you to join CRSC, and how would you like the Club to evolve over the next few years?
I joined in 2008 when I was nine, thanks to a family member gifting me membership. I’d love to see the Club evolve its social media platforms, as that is a big way of attracting people. It means being able to share photos and stories from trips. Platforms such as YouTube (which I’m very familiar with, as some might know!) are able to engage a visual audience as well. My favourite things within CRSC are the excursions, whether that means the chartering of a vessel (which, given CalMac’s recent struggles, may no longer be possible) or a coach trip to Islay. These are really nice ways of interacting with fellow enthusiasts.
Cameron Wilson at work — driving wide-eyed tourists through the Highlands as a tour guide for Rabbie’s
A younger-looking Cameron Wilson (left) in 2020 at a CRSC meeting in Glasgow addressed by CalMac Operations Director Robert Morrison (second left). Also in the frame: former CalMac executive Bill Main and Captain Guy Robertson
…..and later the same year next to Loch Striven at the North Pier, Oban, with Clansman beyond
Five years ago: Cameron at a 2019 CRSC meeting with the late John Whittle, CalMac’s first general manager…..
Driving a Rabbie’s tour bus off Loch Fyne at Armadale — captured on the CMAL webcam
Cameron Wilson today, sharing his love of the Highlands and Islands with visitors from near and far
SEE ALSO:
Cameron Wilson: Slipways, showers and sun-filled sailings from Oban
Members Night 2021: Cameron Wilson and others
Cameron Wilson’s Photo of the Month, September 2018
On the Spot — the complete collection
Published on 29 August 2024