MV Balmoral Bound for the Clyde
Waverley’s former consort vessel, the 1949 Motor Vessel Balmoral, operated in support of our famous Paddle Steamer between 1986 and 2012. Having been built for Red Funnel to operate between Southampton and Cowes on the Isle of Wight she is now owned by the registered charity MV Balmoral Fund Ltd, who purchased her from Waverley Steam Navigation Company (WSN) in 2015.
After being purchased from the Bank of Scotland (in Dundee) in 1985 by a Waverley supporter Balmoral was substantially rebuilt at Govan at a cost of over £320,000 before she re-entered service on the Bristol Channel in April 1986. For 27 seasons Balmoral operated to support Waverley by helping to maintain piers, retain pilotage exemption certificates for deck officers and deputise for Waverley when the need arose.
Balmoral in Clydedock Engineering Ltd’s Govan dry dock in 1986 undergoing substantial refit prior to entering service for Waverley Excursions Ltd to support Paddle Steamer Waverley.
Balmoral is now operated by White Funnel Ltd of Bristol. In 2016 she has offered cruises in many of the tradition pleasure steamer cruising areas around the UK. So far this season she has operated on the Thames, South Coast, Bristol Channel, Irish Sea & Isle of Man, north Wales and the Mersey. From Friday 23rd to Monday 26th September she will operate on the Clyde. The vessel last visited the Clyde for dry-docking with Waverley in 2012.
Over the course of her “Waverley career” Balmoral has had several different liveries applied to her. The following collection of photographs help to show her on the Clyde under the WSN flag in some of her different liveries.
Waverley and Balmoral berthed at Anderston Quay during winter layup in Glasgow (1988).
Balmoral berthed at the small pier at Carrick Castle in Loch Goil during her 1990 short spell on the Clyde.
Balmoral arrives at Campbeltown in 1992.
Balmoral sails down river having passed under the Erskine Bridge in 1993.
Balmoral at Tighnabruaich in 2001. Her funnel had only been painted red for the final weekend of the season as she had a filming charter.
Balmoral at Greenock in 2008 with the Queen Elizabeth 2 in the background.
Balmoral at Lochranza in 2008. She is scheduled to visit Lochranza on Monday 26th September 2016.
For full details and to book tickets for Balmoral on the Clyde go to www.whitefunnel.co.uk or call 0117 325 6200.