Paddle Steamer Waverley departed Greenock Custom House Quay on Tuesday 5th September at 4pm bound for Weymouth and the start of her adventure south for 2017. Her passage from the Clyde to Weymouth normally takes about 35 hours in good conditions and by 10:30pm she had made good progress and was entering the Irish sea.

Waverley had been in the Garvel dry dock in Greenock for repairs to her bow following contact with the promenade at Rothesay on Friday 25th August. She had entered dry dock on Saturday 26th for a short stay of 9 days. Unfortunately Waverley was unable to carry out her sailings from Liverpool & North Wales as well as operate her Bristol Channel programme much to the disappointment of many who had booked. It was all the more frustrating that in this period two sailings were sold out. All those who had booked for those sailings were contacted by Waverley Excursions and offered a full refund. It is therefore essential that Waverley’s sailings on the South Coast and Thames are well supported to ensure maximum revenue. Advance bookings are strong with some sailings sold out. To book or to find out more about Waverley’s sailings contact Waverley Excursions.

The PSPS would to acknowledge the huge effort made by Waverley Excursions and Dales Marine Services in Greenock who worked hard to undertake the repair work to Waverley as quickly as possible.

Waverley’s 2017 season has been challenging but there have been many days when passengers enjoyed a great day out aboard the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer. The following pictures help to illustrate that when the sun shone she continued to attract large crowds.

Waverley and the CaMac ferry Isle of Arran captured at Campbeltown on Sunday 16th July. Hamish Bowie

Waverley disembarks her passengers having arrived at Campbeltown on Sunday 16th July 2017. Hamish Bowie

Waverley about to depart Campbeltown for the return journey to Lochranza, Largs and Glasgow. Hamish Bowie