Steamboating on the Scottish Canals

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fredrosse
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Steamboating on the Scottish Canals

Post by fredrosse » Tue May 13, 2014 3:14 am

Having spent much time in Glasgow Scotland this year, I was pleased to learn of a steamboat outing originating at the Falkirk Wheel. On the 21st of April I had arrived in Scotland on business, but the day's work was cancelled, so I decided to visit the wheel which is the only rotating boat lift in the world, 115 feet high, connecting two Scottish canals. In the basin was a steam launch, Suilven, and the owner, Mr. John Hendry was kind enough to take me on a steamboat ride for a few miles on the lower (Forth and Clyde) canal. I also met Gudmund Jorgensen and a few others who were on this outing of a single steamer.

A steamboat ride up the Falkirk Wheel, onto the upper (Union) canal was scheduled for the 2nd of May, but my work prevented my arrival at the wheel in time to join the steamers. A taxi ride found the steamers, and I got onto Gudmund Jorgensen's steamer Silkie where we cruised to a small inlet for lunch. Six steamboats in all, including Suilven, Lady Ashton, Talisker, Aurora, and Vesuvius. I then hitched a ride on the steamer Vesuvius, owned by Roger Heise, as the group continued along the Union Canal. We all stoped at Linithgow, about half way to Edinburgh, where we had a very nice diner, mostly fish and chips, as well as some wine. The hospitality was very fine, a most enjoyable outing through the Scottish countryside.
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FalkirkWheel1.JPG
Falkirk Wheel, Boat Lift, Canal to Canal
FalkirkWheel1.JPG (103.83 KiB) Viewed 9273 times
Suliven.JPG
28 ft Launch Suilven
Suliven.JPG (80.17 KiB) Viewed 9273 times
Canal Basin.JPG
Final Destination Union Canal Basin at Linlithgow
Canal Basin.JPG (126.25 KiB) Viewed 9273 times
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals

Post by steamdon-jr » Tue May 13, 2014 9:50 pm

Fred, I am starting to dislike you...so jealous. More pictures please.
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals

Post by fredrosse » Wed May 14, 2014 12:12 am

A few more Pictures. These launches are all very polished!
Attachments
Group.jpg
Canal Inlet for Lunch
Group.jpg (88.98 KiB) Viewed 9227 times
PerfectColorMatch.jpg
How can one get such a perfect coordination of colours?
PerfectColorMatch.jpg (42.13 KiB) Viewed 9227 times
Vesuvius.jpg
Excellent Machine and hospitality
Vesuvius.jpg (59.84 KiB) Viewed 9227 times
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals

Post by fredrosse » Wed May 14, 2014 12:17 am

At the Falkirk Wheel and its basin. Somewhat disconcerting to be traveling on the high canal approaching the Wheel.
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EnterWheel.jpg
Approaching the wheel
EnterWheel.jpg (45.19 KiB) Viewed 9227 times
OnWheelLookingDown.jpg
Quite an elevation change, looking down on some narrow boats
OnWheelLookingDown.jpg (58.33 KiB) Viewed 9227 times
HiStoneViaduct.jpg
A canal viaduct, stone and higher than all the countryside
HiStoneViaduct.jpg (43.2 KiB) Viewed 9227 times
Last edited by fredrosse on Wed May 14, 2014 12:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals

Post by fredrosse » Wed May 14, 2014 12:21 am

A couple of more, and note the Jolly Roger also flies in Scotland
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Jolly.jpg
Glad to see a fellow Pirate
Jolly.jpg (69.59 KiB) Viewed 9226 times
LockOut.jpg
Leaving the Wheel's Basin on a conventional lock to the lower canal
LockOut.jpg (37.83 KiB) Viewed 9226 times
Talisker.jpg
Smoke and Steam, Great Stuff
Talisker.jpg (19.3 KiB) Viewed 9226 times
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals

Post by fredrosse » Wed May 14, 2014 12:26 am

In Glasgow I also had the pleasure of visiting the Waverly, the only seagoing paddle steamer in the world that regularly operates. It was in the overhaul process when I visited, great ship, triple expansion steamer. Thanks to Gudmund Jorgensen, arranging for me to be allowed a personal tour of the ship.

Hope you are not too offended Don!
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Waverly.jpg
In Glasgow for overhaul
Waverly.jpg (43.61 KiB) Viewed 9226 times
WaverlyGauges.jpg
So nice
WaverlyGauges.jpg (58.21 KiB) Viewed 9226 times
WaverlyCranks.jpg
Fred next to the cranks
WaverlyCranks.jpg (50.27 KiB) Viewed 9226 times
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals

Post by Gudmund » Thu May 15, 2014 11:21 am

More pictures can be seen at http://www.nilshartel-photography.co.uk/p448533701 there is proof that Fred was here!
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Re: Steamboating on the Scottish Canals

Post by steamdon-jr » Thu May 15, 2014 7:43 pm

Thanks Gudmond, those pictures are amazing.
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