The Orkney Image Library
No: 25210 Contributor: Rodney Delday Year: 2011
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To all you Para Handy fans ! came across the Vital Spark at a boat yard down at the bottom end of the Crinan Canal 1 year ago, April 2010. Iit looks in a sorry state. They are raising money to repair her to her former glory. Theres new plates going in the bottom mid section in the picture. Nice part of the country side despite the dull sky
View Large VersionPicture added on 07 June 2011 at 23:13
Is this the actual boat used in the 1994 Gregor Fisher version or the 1959 Duncan MacRae version or the Roddy McMillan 1974-76 version of the TV series?
Added by Al Hine on 08 June 2011
she has been there a good few years now, i remember seeing her in the 1990s
Added by Kirkwallian on 08 June 2011
Although immortalised as the 'Vital Spark' when she was used for the BBC Scotland series of 'Para Handy', her original name was 'Auld Reekie' (VIC 27). Hopefully she will again one day be seaworthy.
Added by Dave Dawson on 09 June 2011
She is now tied up at Inveraray pier.
Anonymous comment added on 11 June 2011
She's the boat used in the 1994 series. After filming she was pretty much abandoned in the basin at Crinan until restoration work started a few years ago. Work is slow but progressing steadily.
Added by Alistair Foden on 12 June 2011
The wan at Inverary pier is not the wan in this pic, nearly all the puffers left have had VITAL SPARK on them at some time for their film roles, but the one at Inverary has officially registered her name as Vital Spark. I mind them about Scapa Flow when i wis peedie.. they were the fore runners o' the MFV'S, Tenders to the Fleet.
Added by Jimmy Hamilton on 15 June 2011
The VIC 32 which runs up and down the Caledonian Canal sometimes, served in Scapa Flow in WW2 delivering aviation fuel I believe. I will post a pic when I find one.
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Added by Magnus Ritch on 15 June 2011
Ships and boats
