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Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
Waverley paddle steamer set for 50th anniversary Ayrshire summer excursions
The paddle steamer Waverley is set to return to the Ayrshire coast for a series of summer cruises. The world's only seagoing paddle steamer is ready to set sail on the Firth of Clyde 50 years after it was preserved. Gifted to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society in 1974, the paddle steamer Waverley will be offering its traditional variety of cruises from Ayr Harbour this summer. Beginning on Monday, July 7, the summer programme will see excursions to Arran, Ailsa Craig, Rothesay, Tighnabruaich, Millport, Campbeltown and Loch Fyne among other destinations. Sailings from Ardrossan, Ayr, Girvan, Largs and Troon are all on the cards and tickets are available now. A special offer has been laid on for the first voyage of the summer where seniors can bring a friend for free on the sailing from Ayr to Brodick on Monday, July 7. The cruise from Ayr up to the Kyles of Bute and Loch Fyne the following day will have a similar offer. For the whole summer, kids sail for just £1. Paul Semple, general manager, said: 'I am delighted to announce that Waverley is returning to Ayr and with an exciting schedule of sailings in the coming weeks. 'Over the past three seasons we have seen the popularity of Ayr sailings soar with many selling out in advance. The ever-popular trip round Ailsa Craig remains a favourite for many given only Waverley can offer such a cruise from Ayr. 'To help launch Ayr cruises we have a special offer where Seniors can bring a friend free on Monday, July 7 sailing to Brodick, or join for the full cruise on Tuesday, July 8 when Waverley sails through the stunning Kyles of Bute and up Loch Fyne. 'Kids go for the price of Waverley by sailing for just £1 on all cruises.' Captain McCall added: 'Only on Waverley can passengers experience so much of the stunning Clyde coastline in such a unique and nostalgic way. 'Once aboard passengers can savour the sight and sound of a real steamship — hear the telegraph ring, visit the Engine Room, watch the engine in motion, and see the paddles turning through the portholes. 'I look forward to bringing Waverley back to Ayr and seeing so many step aboard to enjoy all the ship has to offer.' Built for the London and North Eastern Railway in 1946, the Waverley was operational on the Craigendorran to Lochgoilhead and Arrochar route for almost 30 years before its preservation in 1975. Since then, the Waverley has been a regular sight on the Ayrshire coastline. Tickets for all sailings from Ayr, Girvan, Troon and Largs can be booked in advance at or by calling 0141 243 2224. Tickets can also be purchased on board Waverley subject to availability.


Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Scotsman
Historic paddle steamer Waverley sets sail on major anniversary year amid record bookings
Classic Clyde vessel celebrating 50th anniversary of being saved for preservation. Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Historic paddle steamer Waverley has set sail for its 50th anniversary season of being saved with amid record bookings that include 15 sold-out trips already. The 78-year-old vessel left its dock beside Glasgow Science Centre on Friday to head down the Clyde to Greenock, Kilcreggan, Largs and Tighnabruaich with 400 passengers on board. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Waverley Excursions, which operates the vessel, fold The Scotsman: 'Pre-booked passengers for the 2025 season have achieved a new record. 'Never before have we had as many passengers booked before the ship has even set sail - more than 41,500 .' The launch of the five-month season follows more £1 million of work on the ship over the winter including an annual overhaul in dry dock in Greenock in April. The 50th anniversary of Waverley returning to service after being saved for preservation will be marked on May 22 with a cruise from Portree in Skye to Gairloch, Ullapool and Kyle of Lochalsh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The ship will call at more than 70 ports and piers across the UK, which also include Tobermory and Fort William, and its first visits to Carbost on Skye and Salen on Mull, which Waverley Excursions said were proving 'incredibly popular'. Its spokesperson said: 'The north Wales and the Mersey cruises have been among the fastest-selling, with many sailings close to capacity or sold out. 'We're especially excited to return to Llandudno pier, which has just been named Pier of the Year 2025 by the National Piers Society.. 'This well-deserved recognition follows a period of storm damage and extensive repairs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sailings to Rothesay on Saturday and Oban are also among those fully booked, along with some in the Bristol Channel, south west Wales, and London and the Thames estuary. A total of 160,000 passengers were carried last year, including more than 2,700 on different legs of a day trip around the islands of the Bristol Channel. Record sales notched up in London A record of nearly £90,000 in sales was notched up on an excursion in London last October that sold out when the date was announced six months before. However, Waverley Excursions general manager Paul Semple urged people to keep booking to ensure the steamer kept sailing He said: 'We need the support to keep this story going. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The Waverley story has almost no end. What is needed to keep this ship in service can only happen when people sail on her.' Child tickets will remain at £1 this year to encourage families to book trips, while dogs are allowed on board for journeys up to three-and-a-half hours 'otherwise they get a bit uncomfortable'. Previous operator CalMac gifted the ship for a nominal £1 to the Waverley Steam Navigation Company in 1974, which was set up by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. It resumed sailings the following year.