Holy Loch
For a small loch and harbour, Holy Loch has had an incredibly varied recent history. Known as "Holy" from the mists of time, the current harbour and marina is one of the most friendly we have visited and we were welcomed by the Harbour Master Alison Newlands with open arms.
When the first US Polaris submarines were deployed, the Americans realised they needed a forward base much nearer the Iron Curtain. Holy Loch had been used by the RN as a submarine base in WW2, and importantly it also had (and still has!) a micro climate giving it frequent cloud cover. So in 1960 a massive floating harbour arrived in Holy Loch (photo 5) which included a floating "dry dock" for the nuclear warhead submarines (photo 6). This "occupation" caused huge public outcry as it made this tiny community Number 1 target for a Russian strike. Eventually the protests changed to friendships and today there are still many local USA family ties.
In 1992 the US Navy departed leaving a very serviceable set of harbour buildings (photo 3) which Alison's family bought in 1998 and have built up a family business around the harbour and marina. Wood is the main export and aggregate the main import. Russia featured in Holy Loch's life again, first when a Russian cargo ship was arrested and held on Alison's pier for two months and second when she was contacted by the owner of a Russian submarine who wanted to moor his sub in her harbour and turn it into a museum! From the harbour, Fiona and I hitch-hiked to the stunning Benmore Gardens - an offshoot of Edinburgh's Botanical Gardens where we found out how enormous the trees can grow in this micro-climate. Thank you Alison and team for all your generosity.
When the first US Polaris submarines were deployed, the Americans realised they needed a forward base much nearer the Iron Curtain. Holy Loch had been used by the RN as a submarine base in WW2, and importantly it also had (and still has!) a micro climate giving it frequent cloud cover. So in 1960 a massive floating harbour arrived in Holy Loch (photo 5) which included a floating "dry dock" for the nuclear warhead submarines (photo 6). This "occupation" caused huge public outcry as it made this tiny community Number 1 target for a Russian strike. Eventually the protests changed to friendships and today there are still many local USA family ties.
In 1992 the US Navy departed leaving a very serviceable set of harbour buildings (photo 3) which Alison's family bought in 1998 and have built up a family business around the harbour and marina. Wood is the main export and aggregate the main import. Russia featured in Holy Loch's life again, first when a Russian cargo ship was arrested and held on Alison's pier for two months and second when she was contacted by the owner of a Russian submarine who wanted to moor his sub in her harbour and turn it into a museum! From the harbour, Fiona and I hitch-hiked to the stunning Benmore Gardens - an offshoot of Edinburgh's Botanical Gardens where we found out how enormous the trees can grow in this micro-climate. Thank you Alison and team for all your generosity.