2025 marks the incredible 50th anniversary of the PS Waverley’s first sailing in preservation. Waverley is the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer and named after Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley novels. The Scottish Banner spoke with Douglas McGowan MBE, President of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, on this milestone year for one of Scotland’s most iconic and historic vessels to have ever sailed.
Douglas for this that do not know, can you tell us a bit about the history of the iconic PS Waverley?
DM: The Waverley was built in 1946 on the Clyde for the London and North Eastern Railway Company to replace the previous Waverley which was sunk by enemy action at Dunkirk in 1940. She was built primarily for the Craigendoran to Loch Goil and Loch Long service, calling at Arrochar to connect with the Loch Lomond paddle steamer Maid of the Loch. During her career in public ownership, she was also used at peak periods to assist on the main ferry routes such as Wemyss Bay-Rothesay and Gourock-Dunoon.
She lost her striking red white and black funnels with nationalisation of the Clyde steamer fleet in 1948 when her funnels became buff with a black top. During the 1950’s and 60’s and up until 1972, she was owned and operated by the Caledonian Steam Packet Company mainly on a variety of Clyde cruises but in 1973, the CSP Co was amalgamated with MacBraynes to become Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd (CalMac). The new funnel colours to reflect this change of ownership became red with a black top and red lion rampants on the sides of the funnels. By this time, Waverley had become unique in her maritime status: she was now the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer.

You were involved in the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society purchasing the Waverley for just £1 in 1974. Can you tell us how this came about and what it was like to receive such an offer and what do you think would have happened if the Society had not taken on the Waverley?
DM: My colleague Terry Sylvester and I, representing the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, had struck up a good relationship with the General Manager of CalMac. From 1970, we had various meetings at their Head Office at Gourock, suggesting various ways to improve the marketing and public awareness of Waverley as a unique vessel within their fleet. Several of our proposals were implemented and a mutual trust and respect grew between us. For example, we suggested they paint the funnels a different colour from the rest of their fleet of car ferries. They also painted the paddleboxes black: both of these initiatives were suggested to improve standout from the rest of their fleet.
However at the end of the 1973 season, as we expected, Waverley was withdrawn from service as she was losing money and required considerable expenditure on her boiler, paddle wheels and timber decks. I received a phone call from the CalMac General Manager in November 1973 asking if I could attend a meeting in his office. I expected the worst……to be told “thank you for all your efforts in supporting us to keep the Waverley sailing but sadly, we have to take her out of service and sell her to the highest bidder.” The evening before that fateful meeting, Terry phoned to tell me that he wouldn’t be joining me at the meeting. “I don’t see much point in travelling all the way from south Wales to Gourock just to be presented with the ship’s bell as a memento.”
And so, it was just the two of us at that meeting. Looking back now, 52 years on, it certainly was a surreal moment when I was told that CalMac’s parent company, the Scottish Transport Group, had decided that in view of all the support and assistance offered to CalMac, their Board had decided to gift this historic ship to our preservation society (PSPS). You could have knocked me down with a feather! At first, I thought it was a wind up! A 700-ton paddle steamer which had a passenger certificate (then) for 1,350 passengers……as a gift! But, then came the bad news, “You will have to give us £1 to make the deal legal!” I phoned Terry that evening and told him “Well, you were absolutely right, they want to give us the ship’s bell BUT they are giving us the rest of the ship as well!” The rest as they say is history. But had we declined this amazing “Paddler for a Pound” offer, she would have been sold to the highest bidder….and that could have resulted in razor blades! Perish the thought!
The Waverley is synonymous with sailing down the Clyde and “Doon the Watter”. What is it about the magic of Waverley do you feel have captured the imagine of generations of Scots?
DM: The Waverley had become not only the last Clyde paddle steamer but the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer. In the early 1970’s, the PSPS proactively marketed her as a very special ship. The cruise down the river Clyde to Dunoon, Rothesay and the famous Kyles of Bute has been loved by generations of Glaswegians and became known as “Doon the Watter”. When Waverley became the “last of the line” she was synonymous with this special voyage that their parents and Grandparents had done before them, keeping the tradition very much alive. There is something magical about leaving the narrow confines of the River Clyde in Glasgow and 2 hours later experiencing the beautiful scenery of the Firth of Clyde.
Waverley’s maiden voyage was on June 16, 1947. Waverley has been lovingly restored with new decks, cabins and engines over the years. What features of the ship are you most proud of and why?
DM: The Waverley has to comply with all modern regulations which includes an annual drydocking. Her amazing original 1947 triple expansion engines are at the very heart of Waverley. I’m very proud of playing my part in her preservation and when I see Fathers with their captivated sons and daughters watching these cranks whirling round and taking in the intoxicating aroma of hot oil and steam, yes, I say to myself it’s all been worthwhile!

2025 marks the 50th anniversary since the Waverley’s first sailing in preservation. Can you tell us what special events are planned during this milestone year, and did you ever envisage marking 50 incredible years of service?
DM: It is quite amazing to think that Waverley is celebrating 50 years as a preserved steamer this year and carried over 6 million happy passengers in the process! Looking back to 1975, our first year of operating Waverley, we did have a number of unexpected operating issues to deal with. There were some days when I thought we’d be doing well to keep her going for 50 days, never mind 50 years!
We are marking our 50th anniversary with calls at “new” piers for the first time such as Salen on the Isle of Mull and Rochester in Kent. Piers need the Waverley and Waverley needs piers! There is currently an ongoing project to have Helensburgh pier reopened. The Waverley’s survival over 50 years is due to a very large band of mainly volunteers from all walks of life who have regularly given their time and sometimes money to help keep those paddles turning. We are inviting them on a special cruise during the summer to thank them.

This year PS Waverley will visit 74 ports and piers around the UK. How does it make you feel that you have been part of a team of people who have allowed millions of people to enjoy the Waverley over the years? Also how does it make you feel to see so many people still wanting to be part of this unique piece of Scottish maritime history?
DM: Even after 70 years of sailing aboard the good ship Waverley, I still get a thrill when I go up that gangway! I’m immediately immersed in a different world, a world of relaxation, sea air, and the reassuring steady beat of the paddles. Sheer nectar! But most of all, what really makes me proud is seeing happy families on deck on a summer’s day, children totally animated and having fun, whether it’s having a tasty portion of fish and chips in the dining saloon, watching those hypnotic engines doing their stuff or Mum and Dad enjoying a relaxing refreshment in the Jeanie Deans lounge. We are in the entertainment industry, and it does my heart good seeing people having a great day out. Above all, Waverley is not stuffed and mounted in a museum, she is a living thing, alive and well, paddles thrashing, engines whirling round, that unique steam whistle sounding and happy passengers!
It is a real credit to the entire Waverley team that she is still sailing in 2025. How important, and difficult, is it for the Society to continue to keep the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer in service?
DM: There are many challenges associated with maintaining a 1947 paddle steamer in service. Health and Safety and new regulations play a major part, all of which cost money. Often, new specialised replacement parts have to be specially made, sometimes by our own engineering team. And we are very fortunate to have an excellent management team led by a very passionate General Manager. In addition, the Board of Directors of both Waverley Steam Navigation company (the Waverley’s owner) and Waverley Excursions (the Waverley’s operator) offer full support behind the scenes. In recent years, our marketing team have been very proactive on social media which has brought to Waverley an entirely new audience.
And finally, Douglas you have such a strong connection to the Waverley there must be some incredible stories to tell? Can you share with any personal highlights you have experienced with your association to the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer?
DM: Our first sailing on 22nd May 1975 with specially invited guests was very memorable. We had succeeded in returning the Waverley to service as a preserved vessel! Bringing both our baby daughters on board for the first time was rather special and even today, all those years later, they still love the Waverley. And we now have 5 proud Grandchildren, who simply delight on coming aboard “Papa’s boat”!
But the culmination of my full time 34 career in the chocolate industry merging with the Waverley arrived when I was appointed President of the Confectioners Benevolent Fund in 2001 with a special Dinner at the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich. Waverley transported the 350 guests, the great and the good from the UK’s confectionery industry from London’s Tower Pier to Greenwich. Over the years, I have had the privilege of meeting many celebrities, MP’s, Mayors and Councillors on board and shaken several thousand hands!
Probably the biggest but most unexpected accolade of all was receiving the MBE in the 2017 New Years Honours from Prince Charles (as he was then) at Buckingham Palace. An amazing day enjoyed by myself, my wife Jean and my two daughters Lynn and Jan.
For more information, or to help and support the Waverley for future generations to enjoy, visit: www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk