Voyage of the Maid DVD

Voyage of the Maid is a new DVD which tells the story of Loch Lomond's last paddle steamer, Maid of the Loch. The DVD has been produced to help raise funds for the appeal to get the Maid back in steam and sailing on Loch Lomond one again. The appeal, launched just nine months ago, now stands at over £100k. 50% of all profits from the sale of the DVD will go to the Loch Lomond Steamship Company. The DVD is available to order at £15, further details on the image below or visit the website www.voyageofthemaid.co.uk.

To view the trailer for the DVD click here.

Paul Semple

River Clyde on Landward

In the final part of a feature on the River Clyde, BBC 2 Scotland programme Landward takes a journey down the River on Waverley. Dougie Vipond speaks with Waverley relief master Iain Jamieson and observers how the landscape of the river has changed with the demise of the Clyde shipbuilding industry.

The link to BBC iplayer for the part of the programme which features Waverley can be found here.


Paul Semple

Paddlers on TV

Medway Queen has now arrived safely on the River Medway following her departure from Avonmouth. She has attracted much attention and as such featured on the TV news, the link to the ITV report can be found here.

Waverley is also due to feature on TV screens this coming Friday (22nd November) when she will be a feature on Landward on BBC 2 Scotland at 7pm. A film crew for Landward sailed on the ship during the final Friday sailing from Glasgow to Kilcreggan with Captain Ian Jamieson being interviewed.

As it happens Friday 22nd November will mark the 40th anniversary of Douglas McGowan meeting John Whittle as chief executive of CalMac where John announced that due to harsh commercial economics Waverley would be withdrawn from service. CalMac's parent company, the Scottish Transport Group, had agreed that in recognition of the support offered from the Scottish Branch of the PSPS Waverley would be offered as a gift to the PSPS. To make the transfer legal the ship was eventually "bought" for £1 on 8th August 1974 and so began the story of true paddle steamer preservation............


Paul Semple

Medway Queen Departs Avonmouth

On Friday 15th November Medway Queen departed Avonmouth docks to continue her journey under tow to the Medway after waiting for a suitable weather window.

Chris Jones recorded the departure and further photographs can be seen at www.channelimages.com

Photo by Chris Jones

Since leaving Avonmouth progress has been excellent with the ship making way along the English Channel by Saturday afternoon.

Paul Semple

Medway Queen Leaves Bristol

Since Medway Queen's departure from Bristol on Thursday 31st October several videos have appeared on youtube. One video which captures her departure in stages from the city docks through the Cumberland basin and down the Avon can be found here.

Currently at the time of posting the tug, Christine, can be found on ais websites as being in Avonmouth Docks.

Paul Semple