Picture copyright: Robert McGechie

Glasgow celebrates its river with visiting ships
A fleet of 'puffers' and ferries amongst the many vessels enjoyed by crowds over the weekend

It was fun on the river again as Glasgow held it's annual River Festival over the weekend.

Crowds were treated to displays and exhibitions both on land and on the water and the highlight for many shipping buffs was the unusual sight of three 'puffer' style vessels all in one place. Making a rare appearance from her usual berth at Braehead Maritime Museum, the oldest Clyde-built ship afloat, the KYLES, was joined at the Science Centre quayside by VIC32 and the VITAL SPARK. And they were also joined by the diminutive 'replica puffer' WEE SPARK, a familiar sight on the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Modern Clyde-built representation came in the form of the Ferguson of Port Glasgow built ships, the fisheries protection vessel JURA and the Northern Lighthouse Board' POLE STAR.

Also in attendance was the former RFA vessel now converted into a small cruise ship, the FYNE SPIRIT and the maritime buzz was aided by the vessels of the Clyde Marine company of Greenock, who ferried visitors back and forth to Braehead on their KENILWORTH, ROVER and THE SECOND SNARK and of course paddle steamer WAVERLEY on her usual weekend cruises from Glasgow.

Sailing ships attended too. The sail training ships TENACIOUS and ROYALIST berthed alongside their steam and motor counterparts.

The Royal Navy sent in their minesweeper HMS BANGOR and adding to the mix was a fleet of lifeboats as well as numerous yachts, small craft and pleasure vessels.