FULL Steam Ahead For Waverley’s 75th Anniversary Season

11 May, 2022 | Clyde Shipping, Noticeboard

CLYDE paddle steamer Waverley will cast off from Glasgow on Saturday 28 May on the first cruise of the summer season.

The world’s last seagoing paddle steamer this year celebrates 75 years since her maiden voyage.

She will offer a variety of sailings on the Firth of Clyde over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, including trips to Arran, Bute and up Loch Fyne to Tarbert on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Holiday.

On Monday 6 June, Waverley will sail to Oban, steams round the Mull of Kintyre before sailing between Islay and Jura.

Many of the Clyde sailings call or start at Greenock.

Waverley’s general manager Paul Semple said: “We are excited to be launching this summer’s sailing programme which sees Waverley operate on her native home waters on the beautiful Firth of Clyde from late May.

“We are also delighted that she will make a return to cruising out of Oban and the Inner Hebrides for the first time in four years following her boiler refit and the lifting of covid restrictions.

“We look forward to welcoming passengers aboard from Skye, Tobermory, Gairloch and Kyle of Lochalsh.”

Mr Semple added: “The sound of Waverley’s paddles around Scotland’s west coast will signal to many that summer is here. This year is a very special one for Waverley as it’s the 75th anniversary since her maiden voyage back in 1947.

“To celebrate there will be a special sailing on Thursday 16 June where she will closely trace the route she was built to serve as a railway steamer, by cruising up Loch Long to Arrochar.

“We are very grateful that permission has been kindly granted for Waverley to berth at Ardnagal Pier, opposite Arrochar, on this special occasion.”

Other highlights of the season will see Waverley return to Ayr and Girvan, trips round Ailsa Craig, sailings to Ardrishaig and the ever-popular cruise round Bute.

Tickets for all of Waverley’s Scottish sailings are now on sale at waverleyexcursions.co.uk, by calling 0141 243 2224, or can purchased on board.

On many sailings children now travel free, with seniors offered reduced fares.

Waverley’s 2022 season will also include sailings in English and Welsh waters when she heads south in late August.

The final sailings of the season will take place on the Clyde in mid-October.

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