The upper harbour area of Glasgow is nowadays largely quiet, with only the waterbus PRIDE OF THE CLYDE making trips from Glasgow to Braehead and the ps WAVERLEY running from the Science Centre opposite the Finnieston crane and SECC. Further down river, you may see some visting warships at Yorkhill, but for that stretch from Glasgow city centre to Partick, is your lot. Not until you get to Shieldhall further down will you see any commercial traffic on the river.

But that wasn't the case last weekend (23rd and 24th July 2005) when that normally quiet stretch buzzed with activity as Glasgow's second River Festival took place.

As yet the event isn't as big as some maritime events around the UK, but it seemed to have a healthier look about it this year.

Prominently, there were more actual vessels involved this year, with ss SHIELDHALL, the tug GOLDEN CROSS, HMS BROCKLESBY, and of course POTC and WAVERLEY doing there business throughout it all. As well as this the Greenock firm Clyde Marine provided some of their vessels, offering trips on the river, notably their venerable THE SECOND SNARK, a 1938 Denny-built former yard tender, now operating cruises on the Firth of Clyde. And there was a surprise visitor (see photos!)

ss SHIELDHALL and GOLDEN CROSS both celebrate their 50th birthdays this year and both (like ps WAVERLEY) were built on the Clyde. The return home by SHIELDHALL was descibed as 'an emotional one' (SEE ISSUE 4 for an article on this steamship) and she attracted much attention from enthusiasts and the general public alike, not least because she is probably the biggest vessel to go so far up the river in recent years..

GOLDEN CROSS is a colourful wee veteran enjoying a new life under the ownership of Suzie Wong and Cptn White, she was formerly a Tyne and Tees tug and now goes round the UK to promote maritime safety issues, just as she did at the weekend.

As always www.clydeshipping.co.uk's army of photographers captured many aspects of the event, and for posterity, here is a selection of pictures taken over the two days. These are taken from larger versions which appeared on the site over the last few days and show just some of the sights around those two days.

It is ti be hoped Glasgow encourages even more participation for next year's event, and who knows, perhaps we could see even more Clyde-built vessels return to thwir home river. Perhaps BAE SYSTEMS could show off their current products? Whatever happens, good luck for next year Glasgow, nice to see some pride onthe Clyde again!



Because HMS BROCKLESBY took up the entrance to the canting basin, ps WAVERLEY had to be canted with assistance from the Clyde Marine tug BEAVER BAY
(Picture: Stuart Cameron)


Commandos and Coastguard put on a display in front of the new BBC building
(Photo: Frank Parsons)


Yes, your eyes DO deceive you! This is the EILEAN EASDALE, but with a change of name to VITAL SPARK, being used for filming by the BBC recently to commemorate the actors who played the crew of that famous fictional puffer. EILEAN EASDALE used to run with cargos to the west coast.
(Photo: Gary Lucas)


The colourful tug GOLDEN CROSS berthed in the Princes Dock canting basin
(Photo: Gary Lucas)


This is the life! Clyde Marine's FENCER carrying clearly delighted passengers
(Photo: Gary Lucas)

Go to Page 2 for more pictures from the Glasgow River Festival 2005