Emma Paddle Steamer Waverley starts its summer season
The Paddle Steamer Waverley has just started it’s summer season and we joined this grand old lady for a trip around the Kyles of Bute to Tignabruich as she warmed up for a summer of trips around the UK.
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Brief history of the Paddle Steamer Waverley
The PS Waverley is named after Sir Walter Scott’s first novel and was built for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) to replace the original PS Waverley that was lost evacuating troops from Dunkirk.
She is the last seagoing passenger carrying paddle steamer in the world and carried passengers from Craigendoran to Arrochar for Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd (CalMac) until 1973.
Did you know? She was purchased for £1 by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society and restored to her 1947 appearance after a public appeal.
Click here for the 2025 Timetable of the Waverley Paddle Steamer.
Tickets are now on sale for all of Waverley’s 2025 sailings:
- Oban & Inner Hebrides – 19th to 27th May
- North Wales & the Mersey – 29th May to 1st June
- Bristol Channel & South West Wales – 2nd to 25th June
- Glasgow and Clyde Coast Summer – 27th June to 25th August
- South West (South Cornwall & South Devon) – 28th August to 1st September
- South Coast and Isle of Wight – 3rd to 23rd September
- London & Thames Estuary – 24th September to 12th October
- Glasgow and Clyde Coast Autumn – 18th & 19th October
How to book your ticket for a Waverley cruise
Book your 2025 Waverley cruise today – bookings now open for all sailing areas.
Book online or by calling the Booking Office on 0141 243 2224. The Booking office is open Monday to Friday 0930-1630.
What to expect on the Waverley Paddle Steamer
First stop, breakfast! As you enter the Waverley you will see the tearoom to your left. The tearoom sells tea, coffee, biscuits and sandwiches.
Looking for something hot? Then wander down to the dining saloon for their hot rolls.
What is there to do whilst on the Waverley?
If sitting watching the scenery passing by doesn’t chill you out enough, then wander inside to the two bars. There is also a smaller bar on the floor below this, which is accessed by a set of stairs at the entrance to the dining saloon.
There is the engine room to visit. There’s no need to book a spot, just wander along and be amazed at how close you can get to the action.
Surrounding the engine rooms are posters with the history of the Waverley, with lots of historical photos to look at.
Looking for a souvenier? Then a visit to the shop is a must. Here you can find fridge magnets, pencils, coasters, water bottles and even bottles of Waverley gin and whisky! There are also bars of chocolate for emergency snacking!
Gallery of our journey on the paddle steamer Waverley
Questions?
Do I receive tickets if I book online?
Passengers will receive an order confirmation email from info@waverleyexcursions.co.uk and will receive tickets in the following way:
7 days or less until sailing – Tickets are collected at the Purser’s office on board Waverley when you sail.
8 or more days until sailing – Tickets will be sent by post.
If you reside out with the UK, tickets are be collected on board Waverley on the day of the sailing at the Purser’s office.
Can I purchase a ticket on board Waverley when I sail?
Yes, tickets can be purchased on board Waverley at the Purser’s Office but some sailings may sell out in advance.
Is there a booking fee?
No booking fee charge. If you wish to amend your ticket such as sailing date, there is an admin fee of £5 per ticket.
When should I be at my departure point?
Ensure that you are at the ship 10 minutes prior to the departure time. Boarding closes 5 minutes before departure on outward and return journeys.
What disabled / wheelchair facilities do you have on-board?
For safety purposes the gangways leading onto the ship are ridged and therefore wheelchair passengers, if they can’t walk across, they will have to be carried.
The Crew are happy to assist less-agile passengers.
Waverley is a historic passenger ship and there are relatively steep stairs leading between the different decks.
Due to safe manual handling regulations and the nature of the gangways they are unable to carry electric wheelchairs or motor scooters and there is a safe handling limit of 14 stone (90kg). Please see the Accessibility Information webpage for further information and details on each port / pier.
Waverley has a toilet for the disabled on the promenade deck – accessed with a Radar Key.
Are single fares available?
Some single trips are advertised and can be booked in advance such as Glasgow to Greenock or Greenock to Largs. Other single fares can be purchased on board subject to availability.
Are bikes allowed on board?
There is a standard charge of £10 to bring your bike on board for single or return journeys.
Are dogs allowed on board?
On selected sailings well-behaved dogs are welcome. The maximum time that a dog can be on board is around 3.5 hours. Dogs must be booked in advance, a flat fare of £5 is charged. Dogs should remain on a lead when aboard.
Assistance animals are welcome on-board Waverley, book in advance.
Is smoking permitted on board?
Smoking and vaping or using e-cigarettes is only permitted on the open Promenade Deck.
Can you take your own food and drink on board the Waverley?
As part of their Conditions of Carriage, no alcohol is permitted to be carried on board. Bag searches may take place and passengers who have alcohol in their possession will be refused permission to board the ship – no refund of fare will be given.
You can bring packed lunches on board, however you are not permitted to eat these in the ship’s Dining Saloon.
