Waverley simmers in the evening sun at Oban’s North Pier after her sailing from Glasgow on Monday 19 May
In a newsletter sent out to all CRSC Members, Club President Gavin Stewart provides an update on planned cruising activities in the next few months.
Welcome to the Summer Newsletter!
Before we move on to an update kindly provided by our interim cruise convenor, Graeme Hogg, I’d like to share a few reflections as we head into another summer season.
2025-27 CRSC President Gavin Stewart
It feels like only yesterday that I was appointed Club President at the AGM in April, yet here we are, just days away from the start of Waverley’s Clyde Season—marking an incredible 50 years since she returned to service in preservation under the WSN flag.
This milestone is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved over the years. It truly is a remarkable achievement. However, we mustn’t become complacent – continued support is essential to ensure her ongoing success. I look forward to seeing many of you aboard during the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, the ongoing issues with Caledonian Isles remain a challenge for CalMac. At the time of writing, the vessel has no confirmed service date, so sailings continue from Troon using Glen Sannox and Alfred for the time being. I, for one, am eager to get back aboard her when she returns to service.
You may already be aware that the club had planned an additional summer meeting at Fairfield Heritage in Govan, titled “An Audience with Richard Orr.”
Regrettably, to avoid an unacceptable financial loss to the Club, the committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the event for now. Richard’s talk has been recorded, and this will be posted on the club website in due course.
On behalf of the committee, I’d like to apologise to those who purchased tickets. Refunds have already been issued by our Treasurer. We’ll revisit this matter at our next meeting to consider how best to proceed as the club still hope to promote similar style events in the future. My thanks go to Iain Quinn and Graeme Hogg for heading up this initiative.
CRUISING UPDATE
As we all know, one of the aims of the Club is to provide opportunities for members to sail together. For reasons that are widely known, and, I think, understood, we have not been too successful on that score in recent times. In the past year all we have succeeded in arranging is a Nominated Excursion on Waverley to Ardnagal for Arrochar on Loch Long last August and another Nominated Excursion in March this year to sample the delights of the new Glen Sannox to Brodick. Both were fairly well supported and enjoyed by those taking part.
On a positive note, through the good offices of Waverley Excursions, we have arranged another Nominated Excursion on the paddler on Sunday 17 August, when she sails from Glasgow, Greenock, Largs and Tighnabruaich to Ardrishaig, with a cruise up Loch Fyne to Otter Narrows. Full details and booking arrangements, which will include favourable ticket and meal offers, have already published on the Club website. As noted above, as this is Waverley’s 50th year sailing in preservation, I’d also encourage you to take other sailings aboard her through the season.
Another ship celebrating an anniversary this year is Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine, which entered service 125 years ago. To mark this milestone, the Club is hoping to arrange either a charter of the ship or a Nominated Excursion in September, probably with a connecting coach from Glasgow. There will be further information once arrangements have been finalised.
We had hoped to arrange a 3-ship excursion in July, sailing from Troon to Brodick on Glen Sannox, joining Waverley for an afternoon cruise from Brodick and returning to Ardrossan on Caledonian Isles. The latter’s latest setback has meant that the idea will have to be deferred until next year.
We are planning to arrange a trip aboard Isle of Islay once she has entered service, but that too is surrounded by uncertainty at the moment. Traditionally, such a trip would involve an all-day coach hire, potentially creating a Coach and Cruise opportunity by crossing on various ferries, at least on the outward leg. Unfortunately, the cost of coach hire has rocketed in the recent past, such that the cost of the coach element of a trip such as this could be anything up to £35 per person, depending on numbers. The positive aspect of the coach connection is that it maximises the time the group is together and can add to the overall enjoyment of the day.
To help with planning for such future events, it would be very helpful to hear from members their views on such coach hires. An email to info@crsc.org.uk stating whether you would be happy to support a coach and cruise excursion involving such a level of cost, or whether we now have to look at reaching places like Kennacraig or Oban independently, would be of great assistance. It is fair to say this topic drew mixed views in last year’s survey, even before the cost element became such a factor.
So, all that remains is to wish you a pleasant summer season, stay safe and happy sailing!
Gavin Stewart
President, CRSC
Published on 3 July 2025