PS Waverley is based in Glasgow, on the River Clyde in Scotland. That’s where she was built, and the Firth of Clyde is her traditional home sailing area. She spends much of each summer season on the Clyde, then tours other parts of the UK coast, including the Western Isles, the Bristol Channel, the Mersey and North Wales, the South Coast and the Thames.
Exact berths, timetables and touring dates change from year to year, so check the operator’s published timetable before you travel.
Waverley’s home on the Clyde
Waverley was built in Glasgow by A. & J. Inglis at its Pointhouse yard, launched in 1946 and entered service in 1947. She was designed for the Clyde excursion trade, originally on routes serving Loch Long and Loch Goil.
Today, her Clyde season typically includes sailings from central Glasgow down the river to the Clyde coast resorts, the islands of Bute, Arran and Cumbrae, and the sea lochs. Her Glasgow departures have generally been from a berth near the Glasgow Science Centre.
Where else Waverley sails
As the world’s last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer, Waverley visits many parts of Britain on tour. Her operator lists sailing areas including:
| Area | Typical highlights |
|---|---|
| Glasgow and Clyde Coast | Her home waters: Clyde resorts, Bute, Arran, sea lochs |
| Oban and the Inner Hebrides | West Highland and island scenery |
| Northern Ireland | Occasional visits |
| Liverpool and Llandudno | The Mersey and North Wales coast |
| Bristol Channel | South Wales and North Devon coasts |
| South West and South Coast | Including the Isle of Wight area |
| London and Thames Estuary | Sailings through central London and down the Thames |
Not every area is visited every year. Waverley sails from dozens of different ports and piers across a season.
Who owns and operates Waverley
Waverley is owned and operated by Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd, a charity registered in Scotland. Her commercial operators gifted her for £1 to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society in 1974, and she has run in preservation since 1975. She’s listed on the National Historic Fleet and has carried millions of passengers since she was preserved.
Her survival has depended on major fundraising, including a heritage rebuild completed in 2003 and new boilers fitted in 2020.
How fast is the Waverley?
Waverley’s normal service speed is about 14 knots, roughly 16 mph. She reached over 18 knots on her original trials in 1947. Her diagonal triple-expansion steam engine, which passengers can watch at work, produces around 2,100 horsepower. Modellers who want real steam on the pond can start with our guide to building a model steam boat.
Seeing Waverley as a modeller
If you’re building a model of Waverley, seeing her in person is one of the best ways to get the details right:
- Sail on her. The engine room is open to view, and you can watch the paddle wheels turn through portholes.
- Photograph her at piers while she’s berthing. You’ll get good angles on the paddle boxes, sponsons and funnels.
- Note the livery. Her colour scheme and some details have changed over her long career, so date your photos.
Our guide to paddle steamer model kits and the Waverley covers her key dimensions, plans and hull options, and how to build working feathering paddle wheels.