The final section covering the Irish Sea was approved by the port authorities in mid-March and the whole season’s timetable may now be downloaded from the Waverley Excursions web site:

Early season Clyde and Western Isles (May 27 – June 7)

Full season Clyde (27-30 May, 18 June – 28 August & 15-16 October)

Irish Sea (3 July from Red Bay (Co. Antrim) and 30 & 31 August from Liverpool)

Bristol Channel (2-6 September)

South Coast (8-22 September)

Thames Estuary (23 September – 9 October)

The first sailing is set for Friday 27 May 2016 from Glasgow to Dunoon and Loch Long.   There are then three days of sailings on the Clyde before the paddler steams off to Oban on May 31.

June 1 sees the steamer head for Kyle of Lochalsh for two days of excursions in the waters of the Isle of Skye.   On Friday she returns south for a trio of trips from Oban over the weekend before returning to the Clyde on Tuesday June 7.

The paddler will operate a weekly cycle of sailings originating from Glasgow, Greenock, Largs and Ayr starting on 18 June and finishing on 28 August.  Highlights include a cruise round the Isle of Arran on 19 June, one to the Antrim coast on 3 July and a sailing to Campbeltown and towards the Mull of Kintyre on 14 August.  The main calling points are Helenburgh, Dunoon, Rothesay, Tighnabruaich, Blairmore, Millport (Isle of Cumbrae), Tarbert (Loch Fyne) and Lochranza (Isle of Arran) plus Girvan and Red Bay (Northern Ireland) on selected dates.

Following her main Clyde season the Waverley will steam south firstly for two days of sailings from Liverpool on 30 and 31 August.  A call at Llandudno is planned for 30 August.

Then the paddler steams on for her Bristol Channel season between Friday 2 September and Tuesday 6 September 2016.  This will feature sailings from Penarth, Clevedon, Ilfracombe and Swansea. Two landings on Lundy Island are scheduled.  On 3 September there will be coach connections from Newport and Bristol.

The steamer then steams around Land’s End (without passengers) to start her South Coast sailings from Weymouth, Swanage, Bournemouth and Yarmouth on Thursday September 8.   During the season sailings will also take place from Southampton and Portsmouth and there will be a coach connection from Worthing.   There will be five chances to sail round the Isle of Wight.  The final trip will be from Portsmouth, Yarmouth, Bournemouth and Swanage to view Lulworth Cove on Thursday 22 September.

The following day the paddler sails from Southend at 14.00 to steam through Tower Bridge after calling at Gravesend.   During the Thames season, which runs until Sunday October 9, there will be sailings from London Tower Bridge, Gravesend, Southend, Clacton, Harwich and Whitstable.  Additionally, coach connections will be available on selected dates from Margate, Southwold, Ipswich and Great Yarmouth.

Waverley’s operating year concludes with three sailings from Glasgow over the weekend of October 15 & 16.

PSPS members will receive a full printed timetable with the next issue of Paddle Wheels due shortly after Easter.