I really wish that someone would bring back a flying boat to Loch Ryan. It would evoke so much history that went on there, and it would be such a tourist draw. When you remember that before the second world war, there were LOTS of flying boats all over the place. If there was a flying boat back there it could act as a museum for all those early flying boats too.
Thanks for this, bit of a nostalgia watch. I remember picking brambles with my family, when in addition to thorny briars, another hazard was tripping over abandoned railway tracks of the military railway. In early and mid 70s.
Born and bred in Stranraer, lived in England since 1980 but lucky me I’m in Stranraer to visit my mother for a few days every 6 to 8 weeks. Its not a bad combo.
A wonderfully informative film and narrative.I shouldhave liked to have seen these constructions in active times. Such a pity thar so much was destroyed post war.
Used to ride my motorbike on the concrete runways when my family farmed Kirranrae farm, Kirkcolm. Now live in Canada, so it was a blast from the past. Great video, one of the best, my kids can now see where their family came from BZ.
Heading for Stranrear week after next for a few days holiday we will be sure explore these WW2 sites. Very interesting and informative video thank you 🙏
Excellent portrayal of the area under wartime conditions. Great combination of vintage and real-time footage. Slightly off-topic, but maybe worth including, during the Second World War, many German bombers strayed off course and ended up flying over the Irish Republic, which was supposedly neutral. To avoid possible mistaken bombing, a prominent clifftop on the south east tip was chosen, and a large sign "EIRE," visible from the air, was constructed using large white-painted stones. One of the workers involved with the building was overheard complaining by a supervisor. His response was classic..... "Just get on with your work and be thankful you're not in Czechoslovakia!"
Thank you so much for producing this video. In the movie starring Tom Hanks you probably know tge success of those first convoy’s depended on those brave airmen and those planes to minimize the damage by the U boats. My dad spent some time on destroyer escorts across the Atlantic and told me he had nightmares for many years after it. I am sure he would have been relieved to see those planes. I know how much time and effort you have put into making this. Congratulations
As a lad in the 60s, me and my friend George Pritchard would cycle out from Stranraer to Wig Bay and go into the old hangars where once I nearly came a cropper from a wire cable hanging from the rafters which caught me round the neck and pulled me off my bike. Also fished off the remnants of the Mulberry Harbour pontoons which were on the shore north of Cairnryan. As a lad I remember seeing the flying boats come in in Lochryan and taxi up the slipway. My dad, Terry Toal, worked at RAF West Freugh and I remember him letting me into the cockpit of a WW2 bomber there. He also worked at the Galdenoch radio station keeping the generators operational for the transmitters there. All gone now.
Wonderful video , I remember it when it was a ship breakers and seeing H.M.S Bulwark being scrapped there , so much history around that area thank you for keeping it alive ,I wonder if the people who now use the modern ferry terminal ever think of what went on before .
Fantastic video and great to see all these areas from the sky, gives a perspective we don't often see, amazing. One thing though, braid fell wasn't used for bombs (even though we all call it the "bombing wall") If you look at the wall you will see it is peppered with holes. It was used to zero aircraft's guns, they would fly towards it, line some sights up with the arrows and then shoot at the wall. 👍
Wonderfully done. When you lifted the drone over the Sunderland/Catalina revetments, I was blown away. Thanks so much for your great vids and the tour.
Great video - one of the best I've watched here. We used to sail or cycle to, and explore in, all of those places in the 70s. But hadn't fully appreciated exactly what all their individual roles were in the bigger war effort. Thanks.
Absolutely fascinating video, although I have spent some time around the area and knew some of the places you spoke about I have learned a hell of a lot more. Really brilliant history lesson.
Great video of R.A.F. Wig Bay and the mass of Short Sunderlands that operated out of there and how all the bases served and the way they were all connected was fascinating .Thank you,excellent!
A superb video about ww2 history : the combination of your walk and talk combined with photography , drone footage and film from yesterday year brought the whole coverage to life : favourite bits the sounds of the planes and shipping - outstanding !
Fascinating. Thank you. So much history here. Wouldn't it be a real tourist attraction for the area? Lots of interest in WW2 history, and so many people across the UK and beyond have family who were based here. I remember attending a brownie rally in one of the hangers. I think a photo of it has appeared on Stranraer memories facebook page. We always called the sports field opposite Stair Park The Transit Camp, rather than the site of the school? There was also a building in Cairnryan we called the NAAFI. I think it's a house now?
Always enjoy your presentations and this was a really fascinating video, I have walked the coastal path past RAF Wig Bay many times. I knew the history but wasn't aware of the slipway or workshops despite driving past them on numerous occasions. Really interesting to see just how big the surrounding infrastructure was. Thanks for this and looking forward to more of these.
Really interesting, not being from the area I only knew wee bits, although I do remember the "Ark Royal" coming in and the fly past with the jets, the middle jet was a Vulcan bomber. Must have been early 80's as I was on holiday at Blairs Caravan site, behind the cemetry.
I have been told there was a site a bit further north on the east side of the loch where modules for the mulberry harbours were built. I am not sure about the truth of that but I did go and have a look many years ago, sure enough there were signs that something went on there with very large concrete castings lying about. Have you any ideas, I wonder. I feel that this kind of thing is important, and should be recorded, so thank you!
was born stranraer,,i can hear yer accent,,!wigtownshire,,dunragit lol,went to drochduil school ,we could see them bombing at the dunes sometimes at west fruegh
I used to fish for Crabs off the old Slipway and Fuel jetty ( it was Creepy ) back in the 70's as a Kid , as we had a Caravan at the Wigbay site ..the Hanger area then was a Scrapyard full of WW2 junk and a Crane I played there with my friends an Cousins..the place gave you the creeps and there were mini Air raid shelters near it..Up the hill was Fergusons Farm where me an my sister would go to help out and near there was what I think was a Maintance worshop facility...Across the Loch was the harbour still with various Submarines awaiting breaking..some years later They broke the Ark Royal , I stood inside it after it was cut in half on top of its huge Ballast block...I only ended up there after a massive fight with my Girlfriend and later ran out of fuel so I slept rough in my Car till morning then had to walk into Stranraer with a fuel can , Ah the 80's..still great vid an Mem jog.
I really wish that someone would bring back a flying boat to Loch Ryan. It would evoke so much history that went on there, and it would be such a tourist draw. When you remember that before the second world war, there were LOTS of flying boats all over the place. If there was a flying boat back there it could act as a museum for all those early flying boats too.
Thanks for this, bit of a nostalgia watch. I remember picking brambles with my family, when in addition to thorny briars, another hazard was tripping over abandoned railway tracks of the military railway. In early and mid 70s.
Born and bred in Stranraer, lived in England since 1980 but lucky me I’m in Stranraer to visit my mother for a few days every 6 to 8 weeks. Its not a bad combo.
Thank you... Fascinating and informative!
A wonderfully informative film and narrative.I shouldhave liked to have seen these constructions in active times. Such a pity thar so much was destroyed post war.
Used to ride my motorbike on the concrete runways when my family farmed Kirranrae farm, Kirkcolm. Now live in Canada, so it was a blast from the past. Great video, one of the best, my kids can now see where their family came from BZ.
Thanks very much Andrew for the lovely comment 😀😀😀💪🏻
Brilliant Video, very very informative, thank you very much.
Very informative and excellent footage from above. Well done
Heading for Stranrear week after next for a few days holiday we will be sure explore these WW2 sites. Very interesting and informative video thank you 🙏
Excellent portrayal of the area under wartime conditions. Great combination of vintage and real-time footage. Slightly off-topic, but maybe worth including, during the Second World War, many German bombers strayed off course and ended up flying over the Irish Republic, which was supposedly neutral. To avoid possible mistaken bombing, a prominent clifftop on the south east tip was chosen, and a large sign "EIRE," visible from the air, was constructed using large white-painted stones. One of the workers involved with the building was overheard complaining by a supervisor. His response was classic..... "Just get on with your work and be thankful you're not in Czechoslovakia!"
The stones are still there, but overgrown and the paint is long gone so they will take some finding.
Thank you so much for producing this video. In the movie starring Tom Hanks you probably know tge success of those first convoy’s depended on those brave airmen and those planes to minimize the damage by the U boats.
My dad spent some time on destroyer escorts across the Atlantic and told me he had nightmares for many years after it. I am sure he would have been relieved to see those planes.
I know how much time and effort you have put into making this. Congratulations
As a lad in the 60s, me and my friend George Pritchard would cycle out from Stranraer to Wig Bay and go into the old hangars where once I nearly came a cropper from a wire cable hanging from the rafters which caught me round the neck and pulled me off my bike.
Also fished off the remnants of the Mulberry Harbour pontoons which were on the shore north of Cairnryan.
As a lad I remember seeing the flying boats come in in Lochryan and taxi up the slipway.
My dad, Terry Toal, worked at RAF West Freugh and I remember him letting me into the cockpit of a WW2 bomber there. He also worked at the Galdenoch radio station keeping the generators operational for the transmitters there. All gone now.
What a fascinating film and presentation!!
Thanks Pat 😀😀😀
Thanks for the video, very informative, interesting mate , Lee them coming
I very much enjoyed your video. Thank you.
That’s really interesting. I’ve driven past Wig Bay a dozen times and even parked up there without realising what it was.
Wonderful video , I remember it when it was a ship breakers and seeing H.M.S Bulwark being scrapped there , so much history around that area thank you for keeping it alive ,I wonder if the people who now use the modern ferry terminal ever think of what went on before .
Really interesting and well presented. Thank you
Fantastic video and great to see all these areas from the sky, gives a perspective we don't often see, amazing. One thing though, braid fell wasn't used for bombs (even though we all call it the "bombing wall")
If you look at the wall you will see it is peppered with holes. It was used to zero aircraft's guns, they would fly towards it, line some sights up with the arrows and then shoot at the wall. 👍
Thanks Gary, This is really interesting. My Dad served at RAF Wig Bay in the early 1950s. Keep up the good work......
Fascinating, thoroughly enjoyed finding out about the local history, keep up the great work, thanks.
Thank you very much! We are learning about WWII in our local area in our classroom and this has been a great resource!
Really interesting to see
Wonderfully done. When you lifted the drone over the Sunderland/Catalina revetments, I was blown away. Thanks so much for your great vids and the tour.
Great video - one of the best I've watched here. We used to sail or cycle to, and explore in, all of those places in the 70s. But hadn't fully appreciated exactly what all their individual roles were in the bigger war effort. Thanks.
Thanks for feedback Andy really appreciate it 😀😀😀😀😀
That was a fascinating tour. Thanks for taking the time to make it.
Your best vid to date Gary....keep up the good work and thanks for your effort
Thanks for awesome feedback buddy 🙏🏻
@@scarlettvisuals well deserved bud👍
Great video Mark 👍 well done 👍
Absolutely fascinating video, although I have spent some time around the area and knew some of the places you spoke about I have learned a hell of a lot more. Really brilliant history lesson.
Great video of R.A.F. Wig Bay and the mass of Short Sunderlands that operated out of there and how all the bases served and the way they were all connected was fascinating .Thank you,excellent!
Brilliant video. Very interesting. Always wondered about the concrete areas at wig bay. 👍
Absolutely brilliant ! Loved this, it should be included on one of ITV borders around the region , your due for bigger and better !!
Thanks for awesome feedback Sharon 😀😀
A superb video about ww2 history : the combination of your walk and talk combined with photography , drone footage and film from yesterday year brought the whole coverage to life : favourite bits the sounds of the planes and shipping - outstanding !
Glad you liked it Brian 🙏🏻😀
Fascinating. Thank you. So much history here. Wouldn't it be a real tourist attraction for the area? Lots of interest in WW2 history, and so many people across the UK and beyond have family who were based here. I remember attending a brownie rally in one of the hangers. I think a photo of it has appeared on Stranraer memories facebook page. We always called the sports field opposite Stair Park The Transit Camp, rather than the site of the school? There was also a building in Cairnryan we called the NAAFI. I think it's a house now?
Always enjoy your presentations and this was a really fascinating video, I have walked the coastal path past RAF Wig Bay many times. I knew the history but wasn't aware of the slipway or workshops despite driving past them on numerous occasions. Really interesting to see just how big the surrounding infrastructure was. Thanks for this and looking forward to more of these.
Thanks for the awesome feedback 😀 I have a playlist on my channel of other WWII places nearby 😀
We’ll be walking around Wig Bay next week, will watch out for these sites.
Great video 👍👍
Thanks pal really appreciate your feedback 💪🏻
Really interesting, not being from the area I only knew wee bits, although I do remember the "Ark Royal" coming in and the fly past with the jets, the middle jet was a Vulcan bomber.
Must have been early 80's as I was on holiday at Blairs Caravan site, behind the cemetry.
I Was IN Stranraer On Sunday 👍
I have been told there was a site a bit further north on the east side of the loch where modules for the mulberry harbours were built. I am not sure about the truth of that but I did go and have a look many years ago, sure enough there were signs that something went on there with very large concrete castings lying about.
Have you any ideas, I wonder.
I feel that this kind of thing is important, and should be recorded, so thank you!
Yes, I was a kid in Stanraer in the mid/late 60's. I remember those Mulberry things. 2 or 3 of them as I recall.
@@andrewpreston4127 Yes they were there near Finnarts Bay. We called them the concrete boats, and I always puzzled over how they could possibly float!
was born stranraer,,i can hear yer accent,,!wigtownshire,,dunragit lol,went to drochduil school ,we could see them bombing at the dunes sometimes at west fruegh
Don't know why cairnryan is described as a deep water port,almost all of loch Ryan is shallow between 6ft to around 15,unless it's silted up?
I used to fish for Crabs off the old Slipway and Fuel jetty ( it was Creepy ) back in the 70's as a Kid , as we had a Caravan at the Wigbay site ..the Hanger area then was a Scrapyard full of WW2 junk and a Crane I played there with my friends an Cousins..the place gave you the creeps and there were mini Air raid shelters near it..Up the hill was Fergusons Farm where me an my sister would go to help out and near there was what I think was a Maintance worshop facility...Across the Loch was the harbour still with various Submarines awaiting breaking..some years later They broke the Ark Royal , I stood inside it after it was cut in half on top of its huge Ballast block...I only ended up there after a massive fight with my Girlfriend and later ran out of fuel so I slept rough in my Car till morning then had to walk into Stranraer with a fuel can , Ah the 80's..still great vid an Mem jog.