The first CLAYMORE

David MacBrayne's first 'Claymore' was built in 1881, and served the Hebrides until 1931.  She was regarded as the finest steamship in the fleet, and was the Old Boy's personal favourite.  She was certainly elegant, and set an excellent standard for future 'Claymores'.  This standard was, of course, maintained, if not greatly excelled, by the 1955 'Claymore', but the 1978 'Claymore' was not quite as elegant as her distinguished predecessors!  There are numerous descriptions in Gaelic and English of what it was like to see and sail on the first 'Claymore'.  Her figurehead is now in the Scottish Maritime Museum at Irvine - a fine kilted Highlander with a sword.  A noble image.  This is a pencil sketch, done with a fairly blunt instrument.