The Waverley will be celebrating its 80th anniversary on 2 October 2026. The world’s last seagoing paddle steamer will embark on a series of special sailings to commemorate the event.
On 2 October 1946, the Waverley paddle steamer – named after the eponymous novels by Scottish author Sir Walter Scot – first took to the water. The 2,100 horsepower steamship was initially built for the route up Loch Goil and Loch Long from Craigendoran and Arrochar in West Scotland, where she remained for decades.
“Reaching 80 years is a remarkable achievement for any vessel, but for Waverley it represents far more than a milestone. Her story began on the Clyde on 2 October 1946, when she was launched at the Pointhouse Yard in Partick, Glasgow. Eighty years later, she remains in service and continues to give people the opportunity to experience the unique sight, sound and atmosphere of a traditional paddle steamer,” said Paul Semple, General Manager of Waverley Excursions, in an interview with Euronews Travel.
After having been part of the commercial transport service for years, the Waverley was gifted to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for £1 in 1974. The Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. charity was established, the Waverley was renovated, and in 1975 the paddle steamer began a second career. Since becoming a tourist attraction, the ship has transported over six million passengers.
Over the years, the Waverley has undergone multiple renovations to keep the ship afloat. In 2003, a £7 million Heritage Rebuild gave her back her original 1940s style, while a £2.3 million capital appeal was launched in 2019 to replace the boilers. Since August 2020, the Waverley has been transporting tourists as usual.
With just a few days to go until the 80th birthday of the vessel, the Waverley has embarked on a triumphant anniversary sailing tour. The 2026 sailing programme will be Waverley’s longest operational season in well over a decade and has already visited the South West, Bristol, and Northern Ireland, among other destinations.
However, the ships will be celebrating their 80th anniversary in and around London. On 2 October 2026, the paddle steamer will depart from London Tower Pier. Cruisers have multiple options to choose from, going from a one-way ticket from London Tower Pier to Gravesend in Kent for £47 (€54.67) to an £81 (€95) return ticket allowing passengers to visit three Second World War-era Maunsell Forts built in the Thames estuaries: Shivering Sands, Red Sands, and Knock John. Special entertainment will be provided onboard, including a performance by jazz trio Bel Canto Vintage Sisters.
The Waverley offers full catering facilities with a range of eating and drinking options to enjoy throughout all sailings, including the Dining Saloon, the Caledonia Tea Bar, and the Talisman Bar.
The onboard Souvenir Shop allows sailers to pick up an exclusive memento of their time aboard the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, and it is even possible to send a postcard using the Victorian postbox on the ship.
