A VILLAGE on the Firth of Clyde has something in common with a town on the Gulf of Mexico.

Wemyss Bay has a pier which was twice destroyed by a hurricane (James Alexander's Pier) before its present pier was constructed in the third quarter of the 19th century.

This opened up the Village and attracted VIP residents to settle there. It could be said that the pier is a public symbol of the history of the village.

Wemyss Bay Pier. Click for bigger photos

Naples in Florida has a pier which was thrice destroyed by a hurricane and was rebuilt in the third quarter of the 19th century and opened up the town -- one which clearly boasts that its pier is "a public symbol of the town's history"

Wemyss Bay attracts thousands of transient visitors because of the existence of its pier; Naples attracts many temporary visitors however not merely because of its pier but because of its fortunate geographical location.

Naples, Florida lies directly across the peninsula from Miami on the Gulf of Mexico.  With 25,000 permanent residents, it is the last population of any significance before the wonders of the Everglades.

In these dreich days of February, the above comparison gives the opportunity to give a brief glimpse the other pier and the glories of it's location which I have actually enjoyed in the past.

Naples Pier is a paradise for fishing as it stretches out into the Gulf of Mexico, it is also a breathtaking place to stroll along. It is a great place to watch people and wildlife from pelicans to stingrays.

However the crowning glory of this location is to be in the company of other humans and watch in awed silence as the sun sinks into the Gulf of Mexico.

Naples and its pier is only 230 miles south of Orlando and 100 miles west of Miami however it might be on a different planet instead of the same State,.

Unfortunately our pier at Wemyss Bay will never enjoy the full natural advantages of that pier 4,000 miles away -- however the breathtaking sunset over Bute and Arran can match most places on earth.