This photograph is a reminder of how ferry traffic used to be. The first car ferry service on the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay route started on the 1 October 1954 with the ferry Cowal. The ferries were fitted with electric hoists to lower and raise cars to the car deck so...
The paddle steamer Duchess of Fife, seen in this picture in her World Wat I camouflage paint, had a long and varied career. She was built by Fairfields, in Govan, for the Caledonian Steam Packet Company and launched on the 9 May 1903. She entered service on the...
Craigmore Pier was constructed in 1877 of iron, but this corroded so badly that the pier was closed and sold in 1888. Theiron piles were replaced with wooden ones and the pier reopened to steamer traffic. Passenger numbers dropped after theFirst World War and the last...
This unusual photograph shows a flying boat fuselage being rolled out from a shed at Ardmaleish boatyard. This yardwas used during World War I for the construction of flying boats which were flown by pilots of the Royal Naval AirService. (P03-3200, B21.28)
Object: Carving from PS Duchess of FifeDate: 20th cDescription: A wooden carving from the paddle box of the Paddle Steamer Duchess of Fife. The carvingrepresents the arms of the Duchess of Fife who was Louise, the Princess Royal, granddaughter ofQueen Victoria.Origin:...
Object: Watercolour Painting of a Puffer Date: 20th c Description:. Watercolour painting of Pibroch in Rothesay Bay. Puffers were the workhorses of the Clyde estuary and West Coast, carrying anything and everything. The Pibroch was launched in 1923 and serviced the...
Object: Photo Archive Date: 20th century Description : Talisman and Caledonia at Rothesay Pier, 1946. (P12-0136.046, RC. V.8 Pt1 p48)
Object: Photo Archive Date: 20th century Description : M.V.Maid of Bute - another pleasure boat for sight seeing cruises round the island sailing from the Esplanade and later from the outer harbour (P03-0598, A3.087)
Object: Photo Archive Date: 20th century Description : Gay Queen a well loved pleasure boat sailing from a jetty just opposite the Pavilion and renowned for “the singing skipper” (P03-1407, A6-126)
Object: Photo Archive Date: 20th century Description : P.S. Duchess of Rothesay This photo was taken in 1907 when the Duchess of Rothesay was used to transport the Duke (future King George V) and Duchess of Rothesay from Renfrew to Clydebank for the opening of the...