Category: Scottish Branch

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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…
Read more