Activity on board Waverley has stepped up in the past two weeks ahead of moving the ship to Greenock this month for an extended period for replacement of the fire sprinkler system and her annual dry docking. 

Checkout the images in this post showing the refit work in progress. 

Work undertaken in the past two weeks includes:

👨‍🔧 Boilers – with cleaning complete on both boilers they were filled with water and sealed up. On Thursday 29th January the fires were lit for the first time in 2026. In the coming days steam will be raised.

👨‍🔧 Steam capstan rebuilt – following the delivery of several new parts the capstan has been reassembled. It will be fully tested once steam has been raised. 

👨‍🔧 Deck repairs – most areas which required replacement this winter have now been tackled. Once the masts are removed decking under the masts will also be replaced. 

🏗️ Removal of ship’s furniture – given the amount of disruption and deck head removals expected by the sprinkler system works most of the ship’s furniture will be removed to prevent it being damaged. In the past week the Jeanie Deans Lounge and Dining Saloon furniture has been removed ashore for safe storage.

👨‍🔧 Panels removed in the Dining Saloon – in order to gain access to the ship’s hull the panelling around the windows has now been removed. This shows some areas where steel work may be required before new windows can be fitted.

On the evening of Thursday 29th January the new Dining Saloon windows were collected from the Roundstone Joinery workshop in Sussex, the windows safely arrived in Glasgow on Friday. The new windows will now receive several coats of varnish thanks to our volunteers before being installed on Waverley.  

Work has continued onboard to restore the bench seats which are positioned around the forward end of the engine room alleyways. Meanwhile varnishing work continues ashore thanks to our loyal volunteers. 

In the coming days Waverley will be back in steam and this will allow testing of all steam equipment on board. The remaining furniture will be removed and preparations for moving the ship will continue. 

Shortly after Waverley arrives in Greenock her masts will be removed allowing Isle Ewe Boats to examine the old masts ahead of producing the new masts. 

The Masts & Windows Winter Appeal remains open to help fund replacing both of the ship’s masts and all but one of the Dining Saloon windows. 

If you would like to donate to the Appeal then please visit our donation page.

All donations small or large will be most welcome, if you can Gift Aid your donation this will add 25p to every £1 donated. All donations can be acknowledged on the Virtual Donor Wall. 

• Donate by 1st March 2026 to automatically enter our Donor’s Draw for the chance to win the opportunity to visit Waverley during her winter refit, win a 2026 Sailing Pass, a family ticket or invite to cruise and visit the Bridge.

• Donate at least £100 to receive a specially produced LNER styled A4 poster just for those who donate to the Masts & Windows Winter Appeal.

• Donate at least £250 or more to be given an invitation for a cruise in 2026 and receive a small section of mast removed from Waverley as a keepsake.