For some reason that I do not really understand, I have been interested in the transport of livestock by the steamships that frequent ports on the Clyde and Western Isles. Perhaps I have a buried memory of sharing the deck with some penned sheep on a journey from Arran on the Caledonia, wondering how the deck would be cleaned after the journey. At any rate, the business of transporting sheep, cattle and horses to and from remote communities was certainly an important aspect of trade. This little collection is an assembly of photographs of these occurrences. The legends to the postcards and photographs provide all the information I have on them. I’ve tried to place them in some sort of chronological order.
Sheep at Lamlash, waiting for the ferry (Becket)
Cattle on board Sultana at the Broomielaw
Loading sheep on the steamer at Inversnaid on Loch Lomond (Gilchrist)
A white horse on the deck of the Fusilier at Oban
Horse for Kilmun on the Madge Wildfire at the Broomielaw
A couple of beasts forward of the funnel as Meg Merrilies leaves Cove
Sheep in the hold of the Handa at Oban
Loading sheep at Skipness
Sheep from the Gareloch as deck cargo on Lady Clare (Robertson)
Davaar at Carradale with a cargo of sheep (Stengel)
Unloading cattle at Kirn
Ferry at Eigg
Cattle aboard a barge at Skye in 1925 (Valentine)
Reluctant stots on the pier at Castlebay, Barra
Highland cattle landing at the Railway Pier, Oban (Caledonian Railway)
Loading sheep on Atalanta at Whiting Bay, Arran
Unloading sheep from Caledonia
Caledonia at Keppel Pier, Cumbrae
Sheep in Cyclops at the sea-lock, Crinan. The Cyclops is preserved as a historic ship
A calf in the hold of Lochinvar
Hoisting a horse on board Lochmor at Canna
Loading sheep in Columba at Craignure, Mull
December 2, 2021
Fascinating subject. Offbeat but intriguing!
A comment the photograph titled Caledonia at Skipness, is actually Millport Keppel. Beside the hut on the pier is a very modern “street-light” – I’m guessing the picture was therefore taken in the 1960s long after the demise of Skipness pier. In photographs of Millport Keppel the hut structure with the steps leading upto it are on the RHS of the pier as viewed from the vessel, not on the left – which leads me to think the picture is inverted.
December 3, 2021
Douglas: Thanks so much for catching this. I have amended the captions. I had great difficulty trying to figure the location for those two. Having the prints inverted makes sense. Thank you again. Graham
December 3, 2021
A closer look at the photographs suggests that they are in fact at two different locations, at least the arrangement of the gangways is different. Teaches me to be more careful.
December 3, 2021
Absolutely fascinating: the sort of detailed observation I love and an object lesson in looking carefully at photographs. Some of these I have seen before but without noticing the livestock: thank you. And who knew that Caledonia had been to Skipness, let alone with sheep? And when?
December 3, 2021
Iain: Douglas Muir has pointed out that it is not Skipness, but Keppel, with the print inverted. The signal building has just two lights there. The other Caledonia photograph is at a location to be determined. I’ll need to be more careful!
December 3, 2021
Yet another fascinating piece and great historical photos.
December 3, 2021
On the second Caledonia photograph with the sheep on the gangplank – there is a possible clue in the photograph. The 15 feet or so of the pier surface closest to Caledonia appears to be traditional wood planks. Looking further back on the pier, the surface it is not wood planks instead looks smooth it looks as if it is stone, concrete or asphalt. Rothesay springs to mind, or?? The folk on the pier are also dressed like the 1960s so it would have to be a pier that was still in use then. Hope this helps.
December 5, 2021
I can just remember as a wee boy in Rothesay watching the last days of livestock on the hoof being loaded onto the ABCs. They were penned in the section aft of the hoist.
One day there was excitement as a young bull managed to escape it’s handlers and caused some alarm on the streets of Rothesay before it was cornered and led by it’s halter onto the boat and it’s fate on the mainland!
December 24, 2021
Had occasion to look at Burns & Laird Lines ships logs in Strathclyde University Archives for something?? and noted down a couple of out of the ordinary trips.
LAIRDSHEATHER 18/04/1936 Port Askcaig to Ayr (took 8hrs 10 mins) with 416 cattle.
LAIRDSROSE. 01/04/1935 Campbeltown to Ayr 140 sheep
LAIRDSROSE. 04/11/1935 Campbeltown to Stranraer 148 cattle, 1 horse.
LAIRDSROSE. 17/11/1935 Campbeltown to Stranraer 205 cattle.
January 13, 2022
Your site is wonderful. Love the detail and photos. I been researching family history and the boats from took from Moville to the U.S. and I stumbled upon your site. And, then I find these other gems too. Your knowledge and passion comes through.