HMS Varbel

Summary

55°51′35″N 5°04′34″W / 55.859731°N 5.076229°W / 55.859731; -5.076229

History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Varbel
Recommissioned1942?
Decommissioned1945
FateDecommissioned and closed down
General characteristics
Class and typeStone frigate

HMS Varbel was a Royal Navy shore establishment during World War II, used as a base for Operation Source. It was in the luxury 88-bedroomed Kyles Hydro Hotel at Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde off the west coast of Scotland.

The hotel was demolished in the 1970s.[1] The houses along the waterfront are still there. The pier has gone except some old decaying piles.

References edit

  1. ^ "Kyles of Bute Hydro". Archived from the original on 6 January 2013.

External links edit

  • Description and history of the hotel
  • Image of the hotel
  • Google Earth ground view into Pier Lane inland from the site of the white building at the head of the pier in the previous image
  • Google Earth air view: the site of the hotel
  • Bute at War Port Bannatyne's role during World War II as the home of the shore based "HMS Varbel" which served as the HQ for the 12th Submarine Flotilla (Midget or X-Craft Submarines).