Balmoral will return to the Clyde in September for the first time since 2012.
The classic 1949 motorship, now owned by the charity White Funnel Ltd, will undertake four days of sailings over the September weekend.
On Friday 23 September she sails from Glasgow via intermediate piers to the Kyles of Bute and Loch Riddon. The next day she leaves Glasgow at 1500 for a Millport Illuminations special via Greenock, Helensburgh, Dunoon, Largs and Keppel, with cruise in Millport Bay. Glasgow passengers have the option to return at 2230 by coach from Largs or sail back up the river to reach the city at 0110 on the Sunday morning.
Balmoral’s Sunday trip is a cruise Round Bute via Greenock, Largs and Rothesay (1000-2040), and her final jaunt (perhaps the most interesting in her schedule) is on Monday 26 September from Glasgow, Largs, Rothesay and Tighnabruaich to Lochranza with cruise to Skipness Castle (0930-2200). Thus Balmoral will call at most of the piers still open in the Firth of Clyde. A season ticket is available for the four-day programme at £95. Full details from www.whitefunnel.co.uk
Balmoral at Lochranza in 2008 – CRSC copyright photo