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LOCHNEVIS on a dreich morning in Kyle...

Uploaded by Donald E. Meek , Mar 16 2010 07:23 PM

Owner: Donald E. Meek (View all images and albums)
Uploaded: Mar 16 2010 07:23 PM
Views: 1,057
Category: Donald E. Meek's Gallery

LOCHNEVIS on a dreich morning in Kyle...

The weather is not always warm and beautiful in the West Highlands and Islands. Want a bet? Kyle can be a dreadfully cold, misty wee place... As a boy, I used to visit Skye with my mother and we would cross from Kyle or Mallaig to Armadale (or the other way) on the 'Loch Seaforth' or the 'Lochnevis'....Well...I was very, very sick on board the 'Lochnevis' on one memorable occasion... crossing such a short stretch of water too. Shame! The 'Lochnevis' was a fine wee ship, though, and I have forgiven her - she was diesel-electric, built in 1934 as the wee sister of the 'Lochfyne', and gave excellent service for 30 years. She was excellent for cattle-carrying (!), and much appreciated by crofters who were in a hurry to get back from the Oban sales. Here she is depicted as she turns towards the pier at Kyle on a misty, murky, caaauuuuld morning, with a seagull or two ready and waiting to greet the passengers with an unexpected present from on high. Sketch from an old faded photo, done with HB pencil and a wee lick of the forefinger.

Brian Ward TT24
Mar 16 2010 08:10 PM

Great to see these pieces of artwork of "steamers" of a byegone era. This shows her later in life with radar and extended plating and I think 6 extra windows.

Donald E. Meek
Mar 16 2010 08:18 PM

Thanks, Brian. Yes, that is absolutely right. I knew her in this guise - she was fully plated on the promenade in my time - but I know the other (early) configuration from photographs. It was always good to see the 'Lochnevis' leaving or entering Oban Bay - she could move so quickly and relatively quietly, and she was quite fast too, with a service speed of 14 knots or more. I remember once seeing her nipping away from the North Pier under the command of Captain John Kennedy from Tiree. She looked splendid - wish I had had a video camera. I don't remember any vibration of the kind that bothered the 'Lochfyne'. But, boy, could she roll in the Sound of Sleat in a heavy swell and a strong westerly...ugh...So glad you are enjoying the pics. I think I have an old watercolour of the 'King George' in my locker somewhere...Donald

crystalsea
Mar 16 2010 09:22 PM

These drawings do justice for the old steamers especially in black and white.Lovely :cheers:

Guest
Mar 17 2010 07:56 PM

The perfect mist, the sky, the stunning sea, the perfect bird,
...amazing
...Donald you have something here even without the beautiful boat....you need to be doing more of these....great skill indeed !
Keep them going while you are in Tiree !!!
Debra :cheers:

Donald E. Meek
Mar 18 2010 10:50 PM

Ah, the mist, the mist, the glorious mist, Debra. It's the hallmark of the islands....nothing represents it better than a wee lick of the tongue on a graphite-stained forefinger! Then rub, rub....and there it is...I don't often do seagulls, and I must have been feeling strong here, as they don't really grab my imagination. My relationship with them is stormy. Mist and rust, rust and mist, flapping, squawking seagulls, smell of fish, cold wind, slippery planks, smell of diesel, claws of crabs, humming generator....It has to be Kyle...or Oban...or perhaps Mallaig. :cheers:

Very atmospheric places, and that is what I tried to represent here. Thanks so much. Donald

Donald E. Meek
Mar 18 2010 10:53 PM

Thanks, Crystalsea, for your encouragement. Yes, there is something about black and white...Can be full of feeling if you can get the shading right, the different tones, but it's not easy without going through the paper. You haven't seen the unintentionally see-through efforts that were consigned to oblivion! :cheers:

Donald