Old Photograph Cottage Post Office Colintraive Scotland

Old photograph of a horse and cart and people outside the cottage Post Office in Colintraive, Isle of Bute, Scotland. Colintraive was once the site where cattle were swum across the narrows to the Isle of Bute, a ferry now provides the back door to the island. Bute played a major role during World War II, and its naval involvements were especially significant. HMS Cyclops was the depot ship for the 7th Submarine Flotilla and was home based in Rothesay Bay. A few miles further north at Port Bannatyne the luxury 88 bedroomed Kyles Hydro Hotel, overlooking the Port, was requisitioned by the Admiralty to serve as the HQ for midget submarine operations. In particular, it was from here that the top secret and audacious attack on the Tirpitz was masterminded. Much of the training of X-Craft submariners was undertaken in the waters around Bute, and especially in the secluded waters of Loch Striven to the north of Port Bannatyne. Bute at War. Bute accommodated many officers and NCOs of the Polish Armed Forces in the West.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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