The Coastal Cruising Association (CCA) and the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (Scottish Branch) are jointly arranging a cruise on the Forth Belle on Sunday 14th June. The Forth Belle, formerly the Poole Belle, entered service in June 1977 operating on the South Coast and Solent until being sold at the end of the 2005 season. With 2 Perkins Sabre engines the vessel operates with a cruising speed of 10 knots. Forth Belle is licensed to carry up to 215 passengers, she has a glass-roofed heated indoor saloon with a café-bar serving a selection of spirits, bottled and draught beers, teas, coffees and light snacks as well as a range of gifts and souvenirs.

On Sunday 14th June Forth Belle will depart from Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, EH30 9TB, just after 4:30pm before crossing to North Queensferry for a photo call at Town Pier after which she will cruise up river viewing the new Forth crossing, Rosyth Dockyard, Blackness Castle and Limkilns. She will return to South Queensferry by 7:30pm. A coach will operate from Glasgow’s George Square at 1:30pm allowing some time in South Queensferry before joining Forth Belle. Following the cruise the coach will return directly to Glasgow arriving at around 9pm. Tickets for cruise only or coach and cruise are available by post using the flyer or by emailing dshirres@blueyonder.co.uk.

Tickets for the cruise are £19 for adults and £10 for children and for the coach and cruise are £27 for adults and £15 for children. All CCA members and PSPS (Scottish Branch) members received a flyer with full details in the March issue of Cruising Monthly and Paddle Wheels. Tickets for the coach and cruise are limited, postal bookings must be received by Saturday 6th June.