Varyag Monument at Sunset

The Varyag Monument taken at sunset ... with Ailsa Craig, Mull of Kintyre and Isle of Arran in the background.

A monument to a cruiser with an interesting history...

In 1904 the Russian ship Varyag was blockaded by the Japanese and despite the odds, the men onboard fought a valient battle before scuttling the ship.

The Japanese raised the Varyag the following year and renamed her the Soya when she was added to their naval fleet.

The Russians repurchased and renamed her in 1916 and she was sent to Britain the following year for repair. However, due to revolution and civil war the work was never undertaken and Britain sold her for scrap in 1920.

Enroute for dismantling she grounded near Lendalfoot, South Ayrshire and sunk.

The memorial commemorates the valiance of the Russian seamen.