There were excitement, tears and laughter yesterday when HMS Vigilant returned home from patrol just days before Christmas.
The Vanguard class submarine and her 140-strong crew were re-united with family, friends and loved-ones at her home port of Faslane.
In previous years families would head to public land overlooking the Gareloch to catch a glimpse of one of the giant ballistic submarines glide past.
But yesterday, for the first time, they were granted access to the naval base to witness the return.
Some 40 families took advantage of the opportunity, being hosted in the site’s warrant officers and senior rates mess.
“Usually we’re at Rhu to watch the vessel come home,” said Victoria Barnwell, who was there to welcome her husband Iain home.
Victoria had travelled from the east coast of Scotland with their three young children – all under six years old – for the occasion.
“Last year Iain was away for Christmas,” she said. “The kids are very glad that this year daddy will be home before Santa.”
The homecoming event took around two-weeks to arrange and featured a bouncy castle for the children, games, face-painting, a buffet and even a special visit from Santa Claus.
“The homecoming is the culmination of a package of support provided to families and loved-ones during Vigilant’s deployment,” explained Sophia McArdle of Royal Marines Welfare.
“There was a variety of events organised including visits to the Safari Park, Hotel trips, a spa day, pizza nights, cinema excursions and coffee mornings.
“The separation can be tough on loved ones so the idea was to bring people together to offer mutual support.”
Some of the loved ones attending the homecoming had travelled from as far afield as South Wales, Lancashire and Liverpool to be there.
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