On 6th July Waverley completed her first revised
Wednesday run, the previous Wednesday was altered to a round Bute cruise after
a delayed start. This was Waverley’s first call at Tarbert without the need for
assistance from a small boat owing to the fact the pier has been in need of structural
work for a few years. Over the past few months both Tighnabruaich and Tarbert
piers have had works completed to ensure that Waverley can continue to use
them. We owe a great deal to the individuals who have worked hard to ensure that
these traditional Clyde piers remain open. Indeed the best way we can repay
their efforts is to use these piers as much as possible.
Waverley’s schedule on a Wednesday this year takes her from
Largs to Rothesay then through the narrows calling at Tighnabruaich before she
enters Loch Fyne and on to Tarbert. A change also introduced this year is that
the steamer then heads back down Loch Fyne to give splendid views of the North
Arran coast and Lochranza.
As Waverley made her way towards the narrows she passed the
sailing vessel Lord Nelson, pictured below.
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| Arriving at Tarbert for the first time in 2011 |
Tarbert for me is a must at least once a year on Waverley.
It brings back memories of the first time I ventured on Waverley without adult
supervision. The weather on Wednesday was similar to that day back in 1993, which
I can still recall so vividly, with some patchy rain to begin but brightening
up as the day went on. The pictures which follow show Waverley leaving and
returning to Tarbert pier from her afternoon cruise. I would encourage all to
take a trip on what is my personal favourite Clyde cruise. If you are not able
to do mid-week sailings remember she is scheduled to call at Tarbert on Sunday
7th August, which is also the Scottish Branch hospitality day.
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| Full speed astern |
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| Arriving back at Tarbert |
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| Arriving back at Tighnabruaich (Now complete with rubber fendering) |
Paul Semple
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