Supporting the preservation and operation of paddle steamers Waverley and Kingswear Castle
Mrs Chris Weir of Largs, Ayrshire, who had a major win on the Euromillions lottery in July 2011 with her husband Colin, has made a donation to the current Waverley appeal which will secure the paddler’s return to service in 2012, the bicentenery of the PS Comet, the first Clyde steamer and the first commecial…
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The Twenty-fourth Annual General Meeting of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society will be held on board P.S. Maid of the Loch moored at Balloch Pier on Saturday 19th November at 2 p.m. The Scottish Branch has arranged an optional lunch aboard the Maid prior to the meeting. The flyer for this was posted out with…
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After completion of her Thames season it was the early hours of Monday 10th October when Waverley made her way down the Thames Estuary to begin her journey home. Her journey to Weymouth provided lively conditions and at a reduced speed, due to sea conditions, it took until the Tuesday morning to reach Weymouth. She…
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On Monday 29th August, during her final Clyde sailing of the main summer season, Waverley carried a BBC film crew and presenter from The One Show. On Wednesday 31st she was given a slot on The One Show. The full program is now available to view on BBC iplayer. Click the link below to take you to the full…
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Paddle steamer Waverley, in her 65th year as a Clyde excursion steamer, was presented with the 65th IMechE Engineering Heritage Award.
The Lake Lucerne paddle steamer Unterwalden returned to service in May this year after an overhaul lasting over 30 months and costing more than 10 million Swiss francs (£8 million).
Scottish Branch Hospitality Event – Waverley – Sunday 7th August I think it is fair to say that all parties are not joking when they say that this season is “Make or Break” for Waverley and Balmoral – but when looking from the outside in it is not immediately apparent how much volunteer work goes…
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With the weather being so good on Wednesday 13th July many passengers took advantage of it and joined Waverley for her second visit this year to Tarbert (Loch Fyne). Those who did venture aboard were lucky enough to experience Waverley in all that she offers. The weather was perfect, the scenery stunning and the steamer provided the…
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On 6th July Waverley completed her first revised Wednesday run, the previous Wednesday was altered to a round Bute cruise after a delayed start. This was Waverley’s first call at Tarbert without the need for assistance from a small boat owing to the fact the pier has been in need of structural work for a…
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The following pictures were taken on Sunday 3rdJuly. Waverley arrived at Ayr shortly after 2.40pm before heading south to call at Girvan for the first time this season. With over 500 passengers she then made for Ailsa Craig, otherwise known as “paddy’s milestone”. As the steamer sailed round the island a large number of birds…
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Scottish Branch Evening Charter Tuesday 21st June The annual Evening Charter of Paddle Steamer Waverley by the Scottish Branch of the PSPS takes place on Tuesday 21st June. Waverley is scheduled to depart Greenock Custom House Quay at 7p.m., Helensburgh at 7.25p.m. and Blairmore at 8.10p.m. We are hoping for good weather to allow…
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Another short piece from Robin Copland. On the 23rd of August 1954, I had yet to reach my first birthday, so I am fairly certain that standing on my own two feet was not yet one of my major strengths. The power of speech still eluded me, though doubtless I exercised my vocal chords…
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Writing an obituary for a friend and former workmate is never easy. Having to write obituaries for two is particularly sad, yet having scarcely finished John Lees’ obituary I learned that Ken Angell had also passed away. Ach…
Sunday May 1st will go into the diary as one of the best days I have ever had on Waverley ever!The forecast strong winds did not appear to have materialised as we boarded Waverley amidst glorious sunshine at Oban’s North Pier. Today’s cruise would take us to the Isle of Coll passing the Treshnish Isles…
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On Friday evening (22nd April) the STV News reported the following: “The operators of the Waverley have warned that high fuel prices, combined with a drop in passenger numbers following a string of washout summers, could force the end of a decades-old tradition”. To read more and watch the report click the following link: http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-central/244802-waverley-steamer-launches-appeal-as-costs-rise/ Paul Semple
Easter Saturday saw the world’s only sea going paddle steamer boarding passengers for a trip to the Isle of Rum via Tobermorey. After a night of strong winds and heavy rain showers the morning was grey and overcast as Waverley backed away from Oban North Pier but by the time she had tied up at…
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,Good Friday saw Waverley embark on her annual programme of sailings amidst the scenery of the Western Isles of Scotland.After a delayed start at Glasgow the ship made calls at Greenock & Campbeltown before heading round the Mull of Kintyre after which she altered course for Colonsay via The Sound of Islay. Shortly after a…
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With Waverley due to depart Glasgow in a matter of days for her annual visit to the Western Isles I feel it appropriate to be reminded of the magic of sailing such waters aboard a Paddle Steamer. Waverley may have made her first visit to the Western Isles in 1981 but for me my first…
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A personal obituary to “Big John” Lees by Jim Harrison.
It was with great sadness that I learned this week that John Lees, Waverley’s Donkeyman of many years, passed away last week.
On behalf of the Scottish Branch Commitee may I wish you all a Happy New Year! Lets hope that season 2011 is a good one. Well winter is once again upon us – what do you mean I hear you cry – its been here for weeks!! The deep freeze set in earlier than last…
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As mentioned in the current winter issue of Paddle Wheels MPV Vevey has been withdrawn from service on Lake Geneva which leaves 5 operational paddle steamers on Lake Geneva. In 2011 there will once again be 5 operational paddle steamers on Lake Lucerne when Unterwalden re-enters service in the spring. Unterwalden last sailed in 2008…
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As 2010 enters its final fortnight we reflect that next year will see the opening of the new £80m Riverside Museum (of Transport and maritime heritage) on Pointhouse Quay at the confluence of the Rivers Clyde and Kelvin. The titanium and glass clad museum building occupies the site of a famous Glasgow shipyard, the Pointhouse…
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The last passengers of the season stream off Waverley at Glasgow Science Centre as the 2010 season came to an end on Sunday 17th October.Great to see the “early buds” of the new season in 2011 already peeping through the WEL website – click on the moving banner above for further details.12 days in the…
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I reckon this Waverley video dates from circa 1990. It has been split into 5 parts for loading up to YouTube. Links to all five parts are given below although you can also navigate between them if you go onto the YouTube site. Its amazing to think that 2 decades have passed since this…
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It gives me great pleasure to inform you all that Balmoral was successful and has won the £50,000 grant towards the refurbishment of her Britannia Lounge. Congratulations to all involved!!! Gavin StewartScottish Branch Chairman
Gerry Ward’s video of Waverley during Summer 2010. Great shots pity the weather was not more ‘summery’
MV Balmoral, the Glasgow-owned, Bristol-based historic excursion vessel has been short-listed for a £50,000 grant from the 2010 ITV Peoples Millions competition. If successful the grant will be used to assist refurbishing the vessel’s Britannia Lounge (named after the Clyde-built P&A Campbell paddle steamer Britannia), the main passenger lounge located on the main deck, forward.…
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Excellent Gerry Ward video of Waverley escorting the Queen Victoria on the Cunarder’s first Visit to Clydeside in July 2010. The Queen Victoria’s arrival on the Clyde kindled memories of a story related to the first Cunard Queen, the Clydebank-built Queen Mary. Prior to her all of Cunard’s transatlantic liners had borne names ending with…
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There is now a large number of videos of Waverley on the internet video website YouTube. Some depict the ship in her pre-rebuild days and a few of these are digitised versions of old cine film from pre-camcorder days. At the other end of the scale are amazing quality material produced by the latest HD…
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