Friday 8 July 2011

A Clyde Paddler & Two Traditional Clyde Piers

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.


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.  

Full speed astern
Arriving back at Tarbert


Arriving back at Tighnabruaich
(Now complete with rubber fendering)

Paul Semple

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