Ken Lochhead

I was really sorry to hear that the artist, Ken Lochhead, had died recently. He travelled all over Scotland to paint landscapes and pictorial maps of different Scottish areas. A print of his "Firth of Clyde" (1997) hangs in our kitchen and it's always interesting to look at as it's so highly detailed.

Ken was born in Milngavie, Glasgow in 1936. He became interested in painting from an early age and studied architecture at Edinburgh College of Art. He went on to work as an architect for 12 years before becoming a full time artist, working almost exclusively in watercolour. There's surprisingly little about him on the internet, sadly, and scarcely any of his work.

Above: part of the map (click to enlarge a bit - though it may not be enough to read the small print)

UPDATE OCTOBER 2008: Some of his maps like this one are still available at Nicolson Maps of Largs. They aren't on their website but you can ring or write to ask.

Nicolson Maps
3 Frazer Street, Largs, Ayrshire
KA30 9HP, Scotland

Tel & Fax:
From within the UK: (01475) 689242
From abroad: +44 (0) 1475 689242

http://www.nicolsonmaps-online.co.uk/

Greenock - Memorial Re-dedication

One of my last entries here for a while as I'm running out of photos taken around the Firth! However, I'll be back there later in the year, all being well, and I shall continue adding to my other blog, 'Around Scotland' in the meantime.

Below: some of my photos from 1971. The occasion was the re-dedication of the Free French/Cross of Lorraine memorial in Greenock. I missed out on the ceremony on the Lyle Hill but took some photos down by the water instead. (I'm not sure exactly where I took these - Custom House Quay perhaps? If someone could tell me I'd be very grateful!)

Aunt Gwen holding up the Greenock Telegraph to show the page about the day.

Erskine Ferry

The River Clyde at Erskine was once shallow enough to cross on foot until the 18th century when it was deepened to allow large ships to sail to Glasgow. The Clyde Navigation Trust acquired the Erskine Ferry in 1911 and added a vehicle ferry boat to the old passenger service from Erskine (in Renfrewshire) to Old Kilpatrick (in West Dunbartonshire). The ferry service closed down in 1971 when the newly built Erskine Bridge opened.

This postcard and Erskine Ferry tickets are from a trip north which I made in 1968

Girvan

An interesting little town in South Ayrshire, quite far south down the Firth - 20 miles south of Ayr. We visited on a warm sunny day - it was lovely on the beach! I didn't take any photos in the town itself (we were too concerned with finding somewhere to eat!)

The island of Ailsa Craig, looking rather hazy out on the horizon. There's an interesting article about it on Wikipedia (with lots of photos) here

Geoffrey on the beach and Ailsa Craig in the distance

Greenock - Two Old Views

The front of two greetings cards I was sent a while back by a friend, showing Greenock in the old days. They are both so interesting, I think!

This is a print of a David McKenzie painting showing Greenbank House - the area where Kelly Street now is!

This is one of Patrick Downie's and a view of William Street in the snow