Scottish Tourism Guide - Articles
The Paddle Steamer 'Waverley'
The famous WAVERLEY is the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer and – some say – the most photographed ship in the world outside the QE2.
She was built to replace a vessel of the same name which was lost in WWII due to enemy action in May 1940, while returning with troops from the Dunkirk beaches. The ‘current’ Waverley is a ‘real Clyde Steamer’, built at Pointhouse Shipyard of A & J Inglis on the River Clyde in 1946; she embarked on her maiden voyage the following year on Monday 16 June 1947. Waverley celebrates her Diamond Jubilee in 2007 – and began her 60th season on the Clyde following the original route she took 60 years to the day – steaming down the Clyde & up Loch Long to Arrochar.
Waverley - the world's last sea-going paddle steamer
Waverley operated day excursions in and around the Firth of Clyde for many years but with increased operational costs; the increase in car ownership and cheap foreign holidays, she was deemed economically unviable and was taken out of service in 1973. It appeared that she would follow most of her predecessors to the scrapyard. However, in 1974, members of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) purchased this magnificent ship for the princely sum of just £1 and formed the Waverley Steam Navigation Co – now a Scottish Registered Charity.
The short Scottish summer season had always been a problem for the Clyde excursion steamers and so Waverley sailed to other parts of the UK to gain more revenue. In May 1977 she left the Firth of Clyde for the first time for a short season on the Irish Sea. In 1978 she steamed round Lands End to cruise the South coast, and since then she has visited most parts of the British Isles, concentrating on those areas such as the Bristol Channel, South Coast and the Thames Estuary which once had extensive paddle steamer services of their own.
Built at Pointhouse Shipyard of A & J Inglis on the River Clyde in 1946
In 1997 the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced a grant in support of the rebuild of the ship – with the £7m restoration work being completed early in 2003. Waverley was completely stripped down and rebuilt to allow her to continue sailing into the 21st century. This saw her restored to the original 1940s look with which she was built, whilst still complying with the safety requirements necessary for a modern day passenger ship. This famous paddle steamer is included in the UK National Historic Ships Committee’s Core Collection which lists ships of ‘pre-eminent national importance’ and continues to sail right round the UK to this day.
It is a great testament to all involved in the ownership and operation of Waverley that she continues to operate. As the last surviving Clyde Steamer, Waverley embodies an important element of Scottish Culture and the affection in which she is held is widespread and genuine. It is a singular achievement for a ship to reach her 60th birthday and those who own and operate Waverley deserve much credit. The ship is regarded by many as a national treasure and, as she enters her seventh decade of bringing pleasure to tens of thousands, it is clear that partnerships between her owners, her operators and others who can help, will be of even greater importance than they have been in the past.
Waverley sailing past the Science Centre, Glasgow
Taking a trip ‘doon the watter’ is a well known phrase on the West Coast of Scotland – particularly in Glasgow where any Glaswegian will explain that this means sailing down the waters of the River Clyde. In the days before package holidays and at least one car in every household – generations of Glasgow families would escape the city aboard one of the many paddle steamers to be seen on the then busy River Clyde. Summer trips ‘Doon the Watter’ to one of the seaside resorts – be it Dunoon or the family favourite of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute – was an annual treat for many.
The Waverley is now the last remaining paddle steamer on the Clyde – and the last big ship to sail down river from Glasgow. She is seen as the gateway to the lochs & isles of Scotland – sailing direct from the city and from many towns along the Clyde and Ayrshire – such as Helensburgh; Greenock; Ayr; Largs; Dunoon and many more - to the stunning scenery of the lochs & isles of the West Coast of Scotland.
The Waverley in Rothesay Bay, Isle of Bute
The Waverley is owned by a Scottish Charity & is British Registered for up to 900 passengers. On board facilities include a self-service restaurant offering a range of food from snacks & sandwiches, to a three course meal; two fully licensed bars; a traditional tearoom & heated passenger lounges. Passengers can watch the great steam engine at work turning the famous paddles. Gifts available at the souvenir shop – where postcards can be bought and franked with the Waverley postmark.
Help support this wonderful ship and take a cruise aboard the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world. Tickets can also be purchased from Tourist Information Centres or bought on board the ship on the day of sail.
Click for more details on Waverley Excursions
She was built to replace a vessel of the same name which was lost in WWII due to enemy action in May 1940, while returning with troops from the Dunkirk beaches. The ‘current’ Waverley is a ‘real Clyde Steamer’, built at Pointhouse Shipyard of A & J Inglis on the River Clyde in 1946; she embarked on her maiden voyage the following year on Monday 16 June 1947. Waverley celebrates her Diamond Jubilee in 2007 – and began her 60th season on the Clyde following the original route she took 60 years to the day – steaming down the Clyde & up Loch Long to Arrochar.
Waverley operated day excursions in and around the Firth of Clyde for many years but with increased operational costs; the increase in car ownership and cheap foreign holidays, she was deemed economically unviable and was taken out of service in 1973. It appeared that she would follow most of her predecessors to the scrapyard. However, in 1974, members of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) purchased this magnificent ship for the princely sum of just £1 and formed the Waverley Steam Navigation Co – now a Scottish Registered Charity.
The short Scottish summer season had always been a problem for the Clyde excursion steamers and so Waverley sailed to other parts of the UK to gain more revenue. In May 1977 she left the Firth of Clyde for the first time for a short season on the Irish Sea. In 1978 she steamed round Lands End to cruise the South coast, and since then she has visited most parts of the British Isles, concentrating on those areas such as the Bristol Channel, South Coast and the Thames Estuary which once had extensive paddle steamer services of their own.
In 1997 the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced a grant in support of the rebuild of the ship – with the £7m restoration work being completed early in 2003. Waverley was completely stripped down and rebuilt to allow her to continue sailing into the 21st century. This saw her restored to the original 1940s look with which she was built, whilst still complying with the safety requirements necessary for a modern day passenger ship. This famous paddle steamer is included in the UK National Historic Ships Committee’s Core Collection which lists ships of ‘pre-eminent national importance’ and continues to sail right round the UK to this day.
It is a great testament to all involved in the ownership and operation of Waverley that she continues to operate. As the last surviving Clyde Steamer, Waverley embodies an important element of Scottish Culture and the affection in which she is held is widespread and genuine. It is a singular achievement for a ship to reach her 60th birthday and those who own and operate Waverley deserve much credit. The ship is regarded by many as a national treasure and, as she enters her seventh decade of bringing pleasure to tens of thousands, it is clear that partnerships between her owners, her operators and others who can help, will be of even greater importance than they have been in the past.
Taking a trip ‘doon the watter’ is a well known phrase on the West Coast of Scotland – particularly in Glasgow where any Glaswegian will explain that this means sailing down the waters of the River Clyde. In the days before package holidays and at least one car in every household – generations of Glasgow families would escape the city aboard one of the many paddle steamers to be seen on the then busy River Clyde. Summer trips ‘Doon the Watter’ to one of the seaside resorts – be it Dunoon or the family favourite of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute – was an annual treat for many.
The Waverley is now the last remaining paddle steamer on the Clyde – and the last big ship to sail down river from Glasgow. She is seen as the gateway to the lochs & isles of Scotland – sailing direct from the city and from many towns along the Clyde and Ayrshire – such as Helensburgh; Greenock; Ayr; Largs; Dunoon and many more - to the stunning scenery of the lochs & isles of the West Coast of Scotland.
The Waverley is owned by a Scottish Charity & is British Registered for up to 900 passengers. On board facilities include a self-service restaurant offering a range of food from snacks & sandwiches, to a three course meal; two fully licensed bars; a traditional tearoom & heated passenger lounges. Passengers can watch the great steam engine at work turning the famous paddles. Gifts available at the souvenir shop – where postcards can be bought and franked with the Waverley postmark.
Help support this wonderful ship and take a cruise aboard the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world. Tickets can also be purchased from Tourist Information Centres or bought on board the ship on the day of sail.
Click for more details on Waverley Excursions
