The opening of Port Dundas basin on 29th September 2006.

Having taken Gamebird to all the other opening events on the Lowland canals over the last few years, we just had to be at the opening of Port Dundas basin and the new lock form Speirs wharf - Speaker Martin's lock. However we didn't have time to cruise all the way there and back so we cheated a bit and put Gamebird on her trailer in Broxburn on the Union canal, drove half way across Scotland and put her into the Forth and Clyde canal at Auchenstarry. From there we cruised through to the Glasgow branch and for the second time, were able to cruise past the bascule bridge at Applecross street. The first time was the Pumpathon in 2001. We moored up in Speirs Wharf for an hour or so till the lock was ready - it was the day before the official opening and the locks and surrounds were a hive of industry getting everything ready for the big day. The lock has a barrier across in front of the gates, like the drop lock at Dalmuir, and when this lifted and the gates opened we followed Ronnie on Ratho Princess into the lock and roped up ready for the big descent. It is a deep lock but unlike the new locks at the Wheel, it is big enough to take two boats side by side. In fact, when we came back up the next evening, there were 5 boats in it. The lock has been built on the site of the Ann Street bridge and when the gates opened Ronnie gave us the pleasure of going through below "my bridge" first. We emerged into the new basin which is along side the east bound carriage way of the M8 and after circling it we moored up and got Gamebird "dressed" for the occasion. We were honoured to be one of only six boats allowed into the basin for the opening and we were moored with other boats of "character"  - Ratho Princess ( listed in the Historic Boat Register), The Kelvin, a restored wooden launch with a Kelvin engine, two small yachts, one with a wooden keel  and Victoria from the Linlithgow Union Canal Society. The rest of the afternoon was spent socialising and waving to the cars on the M8 which tooted as they went past. There is a water feature which has water cascading down the outside of the basin edge but this was not turned on while we were there. Apparently,  the people in flats on the other side of the motorway phone BW to tell them that their canal is leaking when it is turned on!

Friday dawned dry and warm and the event started with the VIPs being brought round from Applecross Street in four trip boats and we gathered in the marquee for the speeches by Michael Martin, MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, the Lady Provost of Glasgow  and Steve Dunlop , Director of BW Scotland, the lock was declared open and the top brass got aboard the Wee Spark which was sitting in the lock waiting for them. After descending the lock, the Lady Provost cut the ribbon and the Wee Spark duly cruised round the new basin.

When the VIPs started to drift away, we heard that the lock was not working as it could not be filled. A problem with the top sluice. It started to rain really heavily but some of us amused ourselves and the traffic on the motorway by circling round. Judging by the reaction of the drivers, there is a lot of support for opening this bit of canal again. The next stage will be the lock up to Port Dundas itself where there are still the old wharfs from when this was Glasgow's port.  Some of the boats in the basin  had to start their journeys home to catch tides etc  and BW pulled out all the stops to get us all back up the lock again. Large pumps appeared and the first five boats were summoned into the lock at 7pm as it was getting dark. It was a slow ascent but no one minded as the chat was good! When the lock was about two thirds full, the sluices started working again and we arrived at the top of the lock to find that there was quite a big audience awaiting our arrival - it was great to see how many BW boys were still there and in fact they stayed till they got the all the boats up.

We set off, most of us to moor at Applecross Street overnight but at least one boat set off and made it home to Kirkintilloch that night. Several boats left at first light the next morning to make their way east but we had a more leisurely start and got back to Auchenstarry after lunch. We then put Gamebird back on her trailer and brought her home so that Iain can investigate the water leak which had flooded the boat when we filled with water after launching.

Once again, a super trip on Gamebird which was made all the more pleasant by all the BW folk who as always, were fantastic. 

Here are some photos of the event.

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