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 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.

For full details and to book tickets for Balmoral on the Clyde go to www.whitefunnel.co.uk or call 0117 325 6200.