PADDLE steamer Waverley will escort Cunard Line’s newest ship, Queen Anne, when she departs from Greenock on Wednesday 2 July.
Passengers will be able to join at Largs, Dunoon and Greenock for the trip which will see Waverley accompany Queen Anne from the Tail of the Bank, passing Cloch Lighthouse, waving her off as she heads for Southampton and onward to the Norwegian Fjords.
Built in 2023, Queen Anne is the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard flag. At 1,058ft long, she carries just under 3,000 passengers and 1,225 crew. Her interior design blends classic and contemporary styles, inspired by Cunard’s rich heritage.
She visited Scotland for the first time last year. This third visit to the Clyde follows her second call on Sunday 25 May.
Captain Dominic McCall, master of Waverley, said: “To sail Waverley alongside Queen Anne will be a very special moment. Two ships, generations apart, each representing a different era of shipping history. It’s a proud occasion for everyone involved and a rare spectacle for those watching on board with us. There is no better way to experience this moment than from the decks of Waverley.”
Passengers can board at Dunoon, departing at 4.45pm and returning at 8.30pm, or Greenock, departing at 5.30pm and returning at 9.15pm. Passengers who join Waverley from Largs, departing noon and returning 7:30pm that day, will enjoy the Queen Anne escort as an added highlight to their afternoon cruise of Loch Long and Loch Goil.
The special sailing comes as Waverley starts her 2025 summer season on Glasgow and the Clyde Coast from Friday 27 June to Monday 25 August. This year’s programme is especially significant as Waverley celebrates 50 years of sailing in preservation. Over the next eight weeks, Waverley will offer a wide variety of cruises, welcoming passengers aboard at 18 ports around the Clyde coast including Glasgow, Greenock, Largs, Dunoon, Ayr, Brodick, Rothesay and Millport.
Tickets for all sailings can be booked in advance at waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling the booking office on 0141 243 2224. Tickets can also be purchased on board.
