Final Voyage of the Waverley for 2011

**Peter Crowe** · 18th October 11, 10:47 AM

More great memories brought back Jimmy. I hope the Waverley's operators can reach their target to keep her going. Unlike most of the famous Clyde steamers, she was a post-war construction to replace the original Waverley sunk at Dunkirk by the Germans in 1940. Built by A&J Inglis yard where the Kelvin meets the Clyde (site of new transport museum) in 1947, she is now a grand old lady of 64. The last refit (10 years ago) and adoption of her original London and North-Eastern Railway (LNER) livery are magnificent. As my fictional namesake Captain Peter Macfarlane (Para Handy) would say Chust sublime!

**Jimmy** · 18th October 11, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Macman

Nice pictures, Jimmy. Thanks for taking the time to post. Just so I can put the distances in perspective, how long did the whole trip take?

We left the berth at the Science Centre on the Clyde in the centre of Glasgow at 10am and returned about 8.30pm.
Stops were made at Greenock, Largs, we arrived there at 1pm then on to Rothesay to pick more passengers up for the trip to Tignabruaich, we reached there about 4pm and only had 30 mins ashore.
The cost of the trip on the Waverley is not cheap, the return trip cost £37.95p, unfortunately most trips on the Waverley use approx £4000 worth of diesel.
But on Sunday it had a full compliment of passengers between Largs and Rothesay, that is 860 souls.
Some people will get off at Largs or Rothesay whilst other will join at these ports.
The distance as the crow flies is not great but try and get to some of these places by road and it takes ages. The amazing thing about the Clyde sea lochs and islands is that it is on Glasgow's own doorstep

**Jimmy** · 18th October 11, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by mookien

Jimmy: Thanks so much for posting those wonderful pictures. I enjoyed each and all.

In the first picture of post #3 I think I see Nessie! ... off to the right.

I even like your corny kirk joke. My grandfather loved jokes like that. It brought him to mind, thank you.

That's a nice looking casual outfit you are wearing. You look very relaxed in it. And, my favorite picture is the "crew of the Waverly" - a good looking group.

John

Nessie might be in the Clyde on a wee holiday now that the tourist season has finished up north.
The kirk joke is cracked on every trip to the Kyles by the commentator. Funnily enough I was watching an old DVD of the Glasgow Steamers dated 1951 and the commentary was by Jack House (effectionately known as Mr. Glasgow) he cracked it then , I suppose as they say the old ones are the best.
On Sunday including myself there were 4 men wearing kilts, the Waverley seems always to have a kiltie or 2 on board.
This was about my eighth trip on the Waverley this summer and I wore the kilt 3 times. On the Cowal games day at the end of August, the Waverley is always choc-a bloc and most passengers later on are worst off for drink, so I was standing at my usual place at the back of the ship when I got a very pleasant surprise from one of a group of ladies who were having a great day out. I never object to something like this from the female sex. Fortunately I do not wear any pants under my kilt and I can assure you that the response from the ladies would have been one of utter disgust instead of the scream of delight if I had been wearing pants. I think that they may have keeled-haul me. So be warned any faint hearted kilties if they venture on to the Waverley.

**Jimmy** · 18th October 11, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Peter Crowe

More great memories brought back Jimmy. I hope the Waverley's operators can reach their target to keep her going. Unlike most of the famous Clyde steamers, she was a post-war construction to replace the original Waverley sunk at Dunkirk by the Germans in 1940. Built by A&J Inglis yard where the Kelvin meets the Clyde (site of new transport museum) in 1947, she is now a grand old lady of 64. The last refit (10 years ago) and adoption of her original London and North-Eastern Railway (LNER) livery are magnificent. As my fictional namesake Captain Peter Macfarlane (Para Handy) would say Chust sublime!

You are spot on and as Para Handy would say 'the smartest boat in the trad'

**tpa** · 18th October 11, 03:29 PM

Thanks for that Jimmy, great pics and commentary. Making me feel quite homesick.

**Ancienne Alliance** · 19th October 11, 02:23 AM

Excellent set of photos.

Thank you for sharing these with us.

Best,

Robert

**Jimmy** · 19th October 11, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by Ancienne Alliance

Excellent set of photos.

Thank you for sharing these with us.

Best,

Robert

In this month's issue of the Scots Magazine (www.scotsmagazine.com ), there is a feature on the age old Franco-Scottish union. I suppose you will be unable to obtain it but its a great wee magazine for everyone who loves Scotland

**chrisupyonder** · 23rd October 11, 04:00 PM

We had a trip on the Waverley 28 years ago. Wonderful pictures, happy memories.

Thanks.

Chris.

**PEEDYC** · 24th October 11, 03:03 AM

Happy memories brought back of "goin doon ra watter". Great photos.

**Jimmy** · 25th October 11, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by PEEDYC

Happy memories brought back of "goin doon ra watter". Great photos.

So many people now staying in Central Scotland still do not appreciate what the Waverley can offer them. When the weather is good, there is nothing like sailing through the Clyde sea lochs, looking at the scenery that it brings. It is only when you travel 'doon the watter' do you appreciate the beauty that is on the Clyde's doorstep.
One criticism of the company that runs the Waverley is that their PR is not so good, from my point of view I feel that the company could do much more to attract more passengers and help secure its future