Warm weather and enthusiastic passengers greeted the Waverley today as she steamed into Kilcreggan for the first time this year.
The historic paddle steamer is celebrating the 75th anniversary of her maiden voyage and was greeted by bunting on Kilcreggan pier to mark the Queen’s platinum anniversary.
Today’s sailing will call at Blairmore, before cruising up Loch Long to Arrochar, including Loch Goil.
She will call at Kilcreggan again on Thursday, for a trip to Largs, Millport and Lochranza, and on Saturday for a special royal jubilee voyage to Tighnabruaich.
Then the Waverley will return to Oban and Skye for the first time since the pandemic, offering a variety of trips around the Inner Hebrides including cruises to Staffa and the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, before her main Clyde cruising season runs from June 16 until August 28.
There will be two sailings from Kilcreggan every week, since Helensburgh pier has been closed to mariners following neglect by Argyll and Bute Council.
This summer passengers are being asked to pay a £3 fuel surcharge, with operators Waverley Excursions saying every sailing now costs £7,000 because of a 50% increase in fuel prices.
General manager Paul Semple said he was ‘deeply concerned’ by the financial situation, adding: “Waverley needs the continued support of the general public in the coming months or we will face a serious financial crisis that will put her continued operation at risk.”
Timetable details are on the Waverley Excursions website.
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