Sir Tim Laurence, husband of Princess Anne, is the new patron for the charity which owns the historic paddle steamer Waverley.
He recently visited the steamer, meeting crew members and trustees of the Waverley Steam Navigation Co Ltd, which took ownership after she was gifted for £1 in 1974.
“Those who work hard to preserve and operate her deserve my support as Waverley is a unique vessel of exceptional importance,” he said.
“Not only does she illustrate and provide access to the engineering and maritime heritage of the Clyde and of Britain, but she provides the experience of going to sea under steam, with all the excitement, the sights, sounds and smells that involves.
“This ship is preserving heritage skills and social history as well as the fabric of the ship herself.
“I am very pleased to be able to help in the vital task of keeping her sailing for many years to come. She truly is a sight to behold.”
Sir Tim Laurence was a vice admiral in the Royal Navy and is also a keen yachtsman who sails the west coast of Scotland every summer.
He was chair of English Heritage from 2015 to 2022.
Derek Peters, chairman of Waverley Steam Navigation Co Ltd, said: “We are honoured that Sir Tim has agreed to become patron for Waverley.
” We look forward to working with Sir Tim to strengthen our efforts to attract even greater support for Waverley and ensure her long-term future in operational preservation to her centenary year and beyond.”
Waverley has just commenced her main summer sailings from Glasgow and around the Clyde coast after embarking on a three-week sailing programme on the Bristol Channel and North Wales, with many sailings being sold out.
She will call at Kilcreggan pier every Tuesday on her way to Blairmore and a cruise of Loch Goil and Loch Long.
And with Helensburgh pier still closed to mariners the steamer will also visit Kilcreggan on alternate Thursdays, en route to Arran, and alternate Saturdays for a cruise to Tighnabruaich.
Over the past four years more than £4m has been raised beyond any operating income to help carry out refurbishment and maintenance works on Waverley.
The basic annual maintenance cost now exceeds £600,000.
Early this year a public appeal raised £180,000 to cover the cost of the annual dry docking ahead of her summer sailing season.
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