The Waverley
The Waverley is such a wonderful and iconic sight during the summer months as she cruises around the Clyde coast. She is the last sea going Paddle Steamer in the world to continue working and is a magnificent sight often seen bowling along quite briskly at 15 knots or so.
Leaving Tighnabruaich Pier
The Kyles of Bute viewpoint is the perfect place to watch her negotiating The Narrows.
Lining up to go through the Narrows
There are a huge variety of cruises to choose from and some leave from Tighnabruaich only a twenty minute drive from the Bothy. This week I had the pleasure of joining the ship at Tighnabruaich for an Evening Sunset cruise around Bute. We stopped at Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, Largs, Keppel pier on the Isle of Cumbrae and then back to Tighnabruaich. At every stop, passengers get on and passengers get off. Although the weather was somewhat inclement we had a wonderful evening – the atmosphere on board is terrific and porpoises were spotted crossing in front of us.
Passengers queueing to join the Waverley at Largs
It’s great fun to go down and visit the engine room and watch the huge pistons turning the crank shaft which drives the paddle wheels.
Because the paddle boxes stick out so prominently on either side of the ship, it is tricky to come alongside piers. She is hard to steer at slow speed which is why she appears to come into her destinations fast only slowing at the last moment.
Approaching Tighnabruaich pier
The Waverley was built in 1946 and sailed in the Clyde until 1973. She was then sold by CalMac to the Steamboat Preservation Trust for £1. Today she is funded entirely by donations and by ticket sales. She has stopped sailing a couple of times in recent years, the most recent in 2020 after she hit the pier at Brodick on the Isle of Arran and needed extensive repairs.
Cruising in the Clyde
Volunteers play a key part in keeping the ship moving for example those who meet her at every stop to take her ropes and help passengers to board and disembark. There is plenty of further information on the Waverley Excursions website.
Tying up at Rothesay, Isle of Bute