H.M. Yacht Britannia is berthed not far away from us at Leith, and since it was decommissioned it has been open to the public. I'd never visited it before today when I went for a tour with my mother, my uncle - who served in the Royal Navy some years ago and had a very personal interest in the ship - and my aunt. We all had a marvellous time, lunched on board and saw the sights, and I'd thoroughly recommend going if you get the chance. I'll post some of my pictures here and leave the rest for later, but I hope they will give a flavour of a beautiful vessel which the Queen was very sad to lose.
The Queen's bedroom with an exquisite embroidered panel above the bed (click to enlarge).
Her sittingroom.
The State Drawing Room.
The State Dining Room with artefacts including an Easter Island head and a Galapagos turtle.
There is even a garage on board housing one of Her Majesty's Rolls Royces - the glass front prevented a clearer picture.
Later: for books spotted aboard Britannia, click here.
When I visited a few years ago I asked about care of the teak deck. They do not oil the wood with teak oil. It is simply cleaned and left as it is.
Posted by: Barbara MacLeod | 11 June 2012 at 11:02 PM
The luxury, I had no idea it was so beautiful. Thanks for letting us get a glimpse.
Posted by: Ruth | 12 June 2012 at 08:17 AM
Yes, I noticed that but didn't think to ask about it. Is less protection required because the ship is no longer at sea, I wonder.
Posted by: Cornflower | 12 June 2012 at 08:46 AM
Parts are very grand and others surprisingly homely and unshowy reflecting the Queen and Prince Philip's taste and the fashion of the times. There is a grand piano (bolted to the deck) on which Noel Coward played, and a silver pantry in which every piece was cleaned every day, but the private apartments are a lot less fancy than what you might find on cruise ships, I should think.
Posted by: Cornflower | 12 June 2012 at 08:51 AM
I think it is more to do with one's particular idea about how to look after wood on a boat. One school of thought is for oiling while the other is "Never"! They are the Never category. I am the opposite but have found, over the years, I am in the minority.
Posted by: Barbara MacLeod | 12 June 2012 at 10:30 PM