Author: Roy Tait+

(Words G Stewart, Video Footage S McKechnie) The branch are always keen to involve it’s members where ever possible. I first met Stephen a couple of years back when he partcipated in our Voluntary Assistance survey and he has been very active helping out every since. Stephen can be seen throughout the sailing season camera…
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(Words by Gavin Stewart. Photographs by Alistair Black) I think it would be fair to say that Balmoral has visited a good few unusual places during her 20+ years under the Waverley Steam Navigation flag. One such place was Gourock – headquarters of Caledonian Macbrayne – former owners of her fleetmate Waverley. After completing her…
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The motor ship Balmoral is also operated by Waverley Excursions and sails in support of the PS Waverley. Since Lochranza pier re-opened, there have been a number of planned sailings to Lochranza by the Balmoral during her normal September weekend visit to the Clyde but none of these have actually taken place, mostly due to…
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(photos by the Author & Shelagh Holt) Greetings Paddle People! Just thought I’d tell you a quick story of our last cruise to Brodick on Waverley for 2008. This took place on Thursday 28th August which also doubled up as a belated Birthday celebration for Scottish Branch Assistant Secretary or Waverley Pint Sized Painter (and…
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You may have heard of “caber tossing” or “haggis hunting” but have you ever heard of “toilet-roll hurling”? Regular Waverley passengers on the last sailing of the season to Lochranza are assured that this is a traditional ritual exercised each year, when the last Steamer of the season has called at Lochranza, over the past…
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The second oldest of Switzerland’s 15 operational paddle steamers is due to be taken out of service later this month to undergo a major refurbishment. The Lake of Lucerne Paddle Steamer Unterwalden was built 106 years ago by the Zurich-based firm of Escher Wyss. Remarkably, the steamer is still operating with its original boilers, although…
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Major Step in Restoration of Dunkirk Veteran (Words by Gavin Stewart, Photos from Author’s Collection) In the last week or so news has emerged that Paddle Steamer Medway Queen is to have a new hull built by David Abels (Boatbuilders) of Bristol. Partnership funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Medway Queen Preservation Society…
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Well folks, thats Waverley’s Clyde Summer Season at an end already. Its been a mixed bag of a season – especially weather wise – but amidst the numerous challenges our ship and her crew have remained positive and worked hard. The ship is now heading to the South Coast of England for her annual sailings…
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When you see Waverley going about her business in one of her many sailing areas throughout the cruising season what do you see? Well…..the most obvious things are her two red, white and black funnels – rising proudly from the deck – their rake making the ship look like she is doing 18 knots standing…
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Yesterday, Sunday 24th August, on the return leg of the sailing to Lochranza, The Scottish Branch was pleased to welcome back one of it’s lapsed, formally stalwart members who has spent a few, though too many years in the wilderness, Mr Willie Ross. Willie has been home from Deep Sea on shore leave for a…
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Is it really getting to that time already?? Yep!! The 2008 Clyde Season has only 11 – yes – 11 sailing days left before our wee paddler heads south for her traditional South Coast of England and Thames cruising programmes. The point of all this you ask?? Simple -if you haven’t been for a cruise…
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(Photos by John MacFarlane & Shelagh Holt) As you will have read previously Sunday August 10th was the annual members hospitality cruise held aboard ps Waverley during her usual Sunday cruise to Lochranza, Isle of Arran. The main objective of these hospitality cruises are to give the branch an opportunity to mix with it’s members…
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Just a quick blog this time you will be pleased to hear. Part (1) – Firstly a wee bit about the Hospitality Cruise we had on Sunday. I know there is going to be a posting specifically about this, so I will keep this bit brief so as not to pre-empt anything in that posting.…
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The Scottish Branch will be holding their annual Hospitality Event on board ps Waverley as she sails to Lochranza on the Isle of Arran. These events are always popular and have recently been revised to include a Welcome audio visual presentation by our Branch Chairman in the ship’s Lower Bar after which members can relax…
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On the evening of 30th July 2008 Waverley visited the Ayrshire port of Ardrossan for the first time in over 20 years. During her years with the Caledonian Steam Packet Company in the 1960s she had visited Ardrossan Harbour quite frequently especially at holiday weekends when she assisted the Arran car ferries on the busy…
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Hi. Thought I would post a few pictures taken on the PSPS Scottish Branch Summer charter on 11th July 2008. I’ve been involved with Waverley and the PSPS for a few years now. What started as a sail on Waverley a few years back for the first time as an adult has become now a…
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…Or how I learned to love selling Olsen Draw tickets! Bet the first heading of this post got your attention, or sent you reaching to click off this site! Let me explain… It’s amazing what you learn about people when you’re on the Waverley….again, don’t panic! It’s even more amazing what you can learn about…
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Last weekend saw the branch in action again at the annual Glasgow River Festival held on the River Clyde at Glasgow Science Centre. The branch have attended this event every year since the festival was first held in 2005. That year we were part of a dedicated exhibition marquee. There was no marquee for 2006…
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Good Evening, Lads & Lassies, Branch President reporting from English airspace! Unlike all you lucky people up there, I am having severe withdrawal symptoms as a result of lack of paddling in 2008. However, I am now on a different lot of tablets. Seriously, this is the first year since 1974 (when there were no…
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Not about paddles but definitely steam!! Click on the play button bottom left to play the video clip – please note that it may take a few seconds to start depending on your internet connection speed. Steam Tug Flying Buzzard is a harbour tug built by Ferguson Bros, Port Glasgow in 1951 for the Clyde…
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The branch will have their usual stand at the Glasgow River Festival this Saturday & Sunday. We will be in the same place as 2007 which is in front of the Crowne Plazza Hotel (North Bank of the River Clyde in front of the SECC). You can park the SECC carpark (approx £4 per day)…
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Fancy a wee challenge? Identify where this shot of Waverley was taken from!! Use the comment facility to post your guess.

(All Photos by Iain McCorkindale) We left this story with the paddler’s Port wheel and shaft leaving the yard of Garvel Clyde Ltd in Greenock for a specialist machine shop in Manchester to have remedial works undertaken to resolve the wear issues identified during routine inspection whilst in dry dock. This time we pick the…
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On Wednesday 7th May Waverley entered the dry dock of Garvel Clyde Ltd for her annual overhaul and survey Amongst this year’s tasks was the re-painting of the ship’s famous red, white & black funnels and the repainting of the hull. Numerous other small tasks were also being undertaken at the same time. During routine…
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Friday 2nd May – 7.00am Paddle Steamer Waverley was rudely awoken from her winter slumber to sail from Glasgow to Oban for her annual programme of sailings from the West Highland town. After calls at Greenock, Largs and Campbeltown our little paddler left the River Clyde and rounded the Mull of Kintyre. Unfortunately, due to…
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The branch usually charters PS Waverley on an evening in June. This year the date has been revised to Friday 11th July for logistical reasons. Any viewers in the River Clyde area who may wish to attend this event should expand the form above and “Save Picture As”. After you have done this please print…
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