Finnieston Crane, Glasgow

Open edition with printed signature. Paper size 306 x 297 mm.  Image size 250 x 250 mm

I was inspired to paint this picture because of the dramatic appearance of this massive crane looming over the Rotunda building and silhouetted against one of the typical sunsets found on the west coast of Scotland. 

It’s called the Finnieston Crane or Stobcross Crane and it’s a giant, redundant cantilever crane on the River Clyde in Glasgow. Although it’s no longer in use, it was kept as a great symbol of Glasgow’s industrial heritage. There are three other cranes like this on the Clyde and they were all used for loading heavy cargo like steam engines on to ships to be exported all around the world. There was a fifth crane called the Fairfield Titan but it was demolished in 2007.  There are only ten other cranes of this type left in the world. 

The crane stands 53 metres (175 feet) tall with a 56 metre (152 feet) cantilever jib and is capable of lifting 175 tons. It could carry out a full 360 degree rotation in only three and a half minutes - an incredible feat of engineering! Access to the top is by a steel staircase or by a unique electric lift, the only one of its type in Britain. Sadly, the docks which were serviced by this giant crane were closed in 1969 and filled in before being redeveloped. 

Apart from its history as a workhorse, the crane is also famous for regular television appearances - in the background of the BBC’s Reporting Scotland and also Live at Five on ITV2.