Cruise Loch Linnhe are proud to be supporting the PS Waverley on its return to Fort William for the first time in a decade!
The widely loved PS Waverley is returning to Fort William and Loch Linnhe on the 26th and 27th of May 2024 to welcome passengers on board for cruises to Coll, Tobermory and Oban. Cruise Loch Linnhe will be providing a tender service between Fort William Pier and the Waverley to allow passengers to board the vessel or come ashore to Fort William.
The Waverley has had a fascinating history, originally being built to operate the route on Loch Goil and Loch Long from Craigendoran and Arrochar on Scotland’s west coast. The Waverley had it’s maiden voyage on June 16th 1947 and has been steaming along (with some short breaks) ever since!
The Waverley is a fascinating and truly unique vessel, being the last seagoing paddle steamer still operating in the world. Its exceptional longevity is thanks, in no small part, to the Waverley being gifted to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) at the end of its ‘first’ working life in 1974. Retirement, however, hasn’t been quiet for the Waverley as it quickly became a popular and award-winning tourist attraction, welcoming over 6 million passengers aboard from over 60 ports around the UK.
Keeping the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer in operation is certainly a labour of love with the vessel having undergone a £7m heritage rebuild back in 2003 to restore the vessel to its original 1940s glory. In 2019, Waverley also underwent a full £2.3m boiler replacement so it could be recommissioned for further service.
After its boiler replacement, and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Waverley operated a reduced service in the Firth of Clyde until 2022 when it returned to many of its pre-pandemic routes while celebrating 75 years since its maiden voyage back in 1947! Now in 2024, the icon is returning to Fort William for the first time in nearly 10 years and we can’t wait to welcome her back to our little corner of the West Coast!
You can find out more about all things PS Waverley at: https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk/
Book your Cruise Loch Linnhe experience now at: www.cruiselochlinnhe.co.uk
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