Author: Roy Tait+

Following Waverley’s successful visit to the Western Isles at the start of June some pictures have been forwarded to the blog to upload taken of the ship during her 11 day visit. The following show a few of the many taken by Roy Tait and David Shirres. Both have more pictures on flickr just click the…
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    Waerley arriving at Greenock Customhouse Quay from Glasgow   Berthing at Greenock     View of AIDAcara and Alteje Schult form Waverley as she departs from Greenock       Waveley departs Greenock on the return sailing – mv Clyde Clipper turning nto he Victoria Harbour ahead of her      

After leaving Glasgow and the Clyde last Wednesday Balmoral was forced to take shelter in Douglas, Isle of Man due to the prevailing wind which prevented her first 3 advertised passenger sailings taking place. It was not until 6am on Sunday (17th June) before she departed Douglas and headed to Garlieston to board her first passengers of…
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After much effort to ensure that Balmoral was ready for passenger service the weather unfortunately prevented her first scheduled passenger sailing of 2012 taking place. She did sail across to the Isle of Man and shortly after arriving at Douglas Captain Ian Clark was interviewed. The interview can be seen by clicking the following link: http://www.manx.net/tv/mt-tv/watch/5913/mv-balmoral-returns…
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Balmoral finalising preparations before departure for the start of her 2012 season    Balmoral eases astern out of Prince’s Dock   The Balmoral and Waverley names together   Balmoral’s farewell blast on her horn, is acknowledged by Waverley with a long blast on her whistle Off to sea we go!  2012 season beckons, hopefully with lots of good…
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With Balmoral’s first passenger sailing for 2012 scheduled for Thursday 14th June it was at 9am on Wednesday 13th June she departed Princes Dock Glasgow and backed up river to be alongside Waverley for a few minutes. Both ships exchanged whistle salutes and Balmoral left for compass adjusting at the Tail of the Bank. She then…
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As per timetable Waverley departed Fort William on Monday 4th June direct to Oban before heading along the south coast of Mull to land at Iona. In 2011 weather conditions prevented her from landing any passengers but this year weather conditions were excellent allowing each of her 500 passengers about an hour and a half…
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Since leaving dry dock Balmoral has been berthed in the James Watt Dock where work had continued. She has now been fitted with an additional generator which will be situated at the stern above the galley for this season. It is planned over next winter this generator will replace one of her Lister generators which…
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On Thursday morning Waverley left Greenock Custom House Quay to undertake sea trials which involved some work on the boilers to ensure the burners are operating correctly but also to make compass adjustments. She left Custom House Quay at 10am and sailed down Firth to Toward and then made her way back up river to…
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The following sequence of photographs shows Waverley and Balmoral leaving drydock. Waverley was undocked, with the help of Clyde Marines two tugs Biter and Beaver Bay,  and moved to Greenock Custom House Quay – the last short section under her own power.    Balmoral and Waverley afloat and waiting for the dock gates to be opened…
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As work contiunes to ensure that both Waverley and Balmoral are ready for another season pictures have kindly been provided by David Howie, Waverley’s Chief Officer, and David Shirres one of the engineering volunteers on Waverley over the winter. David Shirres also produced the “Inside Waverley” CD ROM a few years ago which has been on…
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Keith Robertson has been a regular volunteer over the past two winters and was given permission to film the dry docking of both ships when they entered Garvel last week. He has very kindly supplied a short 1 minute video of the actual docking, although the video shows the full docking at a much increased…
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Waverley and Balmoral are now both in Garvel Graving Dock, Greenock. Balmoral is in the dock ahead of Waverley and pictures showing both ships entering the dock are to be found on the Waverley Excursions Facebook page.Both vessels entered the dock on Wednesday 18th April and this is the first time both have been dry…
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While Waverley was in the Western Isles last season a German TV crew accompanied her to produce a programme. The TV documentary was shown in Germany on Friday 6th April and is now on ARTE.TV’s equivalent of the iPlayer for the next week. Unfortunately the commentary is only in German or French but the filming quality is excellent. It lasts…
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Tickets are now on sale for the joint charter of Waverley by the PSPS and CRSC. Tickets for landing at Ormidale are limited and early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. Click on the image below and download a booking form for tickets for Waverley either cruising to Ormidale or landing at Ormidale. Tickets are also available to sail…
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Tickets for the PSPS/CRSC joint charter of Waverley to Loch Riddon are now on sale and booking forms will be issued with the Spring issue of Paddle Wheels. Two booking forms are available. One form is for tickets to sale to Ormidale oboth outward and return on Waverley.

During Waverley’s first season in preservation Loch Riddon was a regular cruising destination on a Sunday afternoon. The following pictures have been kindly provided by Captain Murray Paterson which show Waverley on Sunday 3rd August 1975 making the turn into Loch Riddon after coming through the narrows and then turning in Loch Riddon before heading back…
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In May 1972 the PSPS Scottish Branch chartered Waverley sailing from Gourock,Wemyss Bay and Largs to Loch Riddon to land at Ormidale pier by the M.V. Rover, however on the day it was the M.V. The Second Snark which tendered to Waverley at Loch Riddon. The following pictures were taken in May 1972 and permission has…
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It is now confirmed that the PSPS (Scottish Branch) has organised two charters of Paddle Steamer Waverley this summer. The first charter is the Branch Mid-Summer fundraising cruise from Greenock, Helensburgh & Blairmore cruising up Loch Long towards Arrochar. This will take place on Thursday 28th June. The second charter is a day of celebration…
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The following video was recorded in June 2006 during Ilfracombe Victorian Week which takes place each year to celebrate lfracombe’s bygone days. Visitors and locals will take part by dressing up in Victorian costumes and parade at many venues throughout the week including of course Waverley. This particular video was recorded by Jon Davies, brother of…
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On Wednesday 13th December a Civic Reception was held in Glasgow City Chambers by the Lord Provost to recognise the importance of PS Waverley to Glasgow. Officers from PS Waverley and HMS Defender along with Directors from Waverley Excursions and Waverley Steam Navigation Company attended the reception. HMS Defender is one of the six Type…
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Once again the Scottish Branch of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society is organising a festive cruise on M.V. Cruiser from Greenock to Loch Goil with a call at Blairmore. There is also the option of enjoying a buffet lunch on board. The cruise is on Tuesday 27th December. M.V. Cruiser is scheduled to depart from Victoria…
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Once again Waverley Excursions are asking for volunteers to assist with the winter overhaul work which is on-going on Waverley at her berth at the Science Centre in Glasgow. Volunteers are asked to contact Waverley Excursions either by calling 0845 130 4647 or by e-mailing Waverley’s chief engineer Ken Henderson at ken@waverleyexcursions.co.uk for more information. In particular…
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Waverley Excursions Master, Captain Ian Clark (Lt Cmr Clark RNR) will represent the Merchant Navy at the annual Royal British Legion  Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall this evening. The Festival of Remembrance will be televised on BBC1 / BBC1HD at 21:15