Waverley Slides — 1994 & ’95
1994
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This was the fourth year that I purchased a Scottish Commodore ticket allowing unlimited sails on Waverley and Balmoral in all Scottish waters. Since Waverley was spending May in the more lucrative waters of the South Coast of England, the price was reduced to �295. In order to get value for money I enjoyed as many sails as I could manage (40) over the year, saving �679.15 in unpaid fares. We won't mention the approximately �820 I spent onboard and getting to and from all those sailings.
Balmoral in the Western Isles — from Saturday, 30 April 1994
Balmoral at Lamlash, Arran — Saturday, 14 May 1994
Waverley at Ayr — Sunday, 3 July 1994
Balmoral at St Andrews — Monday, 11 July 1994
Waverley in the Western Isles — from Sunday, 23 April 1995
Waverley sailings in 1996
Balmoral in the Western Isles 1994
Since Waverley was down south, Balmoral came up north to provide a long weekend of sailings from Oban.
Day 1 - Friday, April 29 — Balmoral sailed from Glasgow at 07:00 intending to call at Largs (09:45), Campbeltown (13:15), Craighouse on Jura (17:00 - 17:30) and Oban (20:30). However, arriving at Largs, something went wrong with one of the engines (cylinder lining cracked) and it had to be shut down. We limped on on one engine round the north of Arran and down the Kilbrannan Sound to arrive at Campbeltown over two hours late at 15:23. So, we disembarked and travelled on by coach leaving at 15:40 and passing Ardishaig (16:52 - 16:55) and arriving at Oban at 18:01 where I (and others) booked in to the Rowan Tree Hotel for 3 nights B&B (�78).
I took no photos.
Day 2 - Saturday, April 30 — Balmoral's engine was repaired at Campbeltown and she sailed overnight to reach Oban about 04:00. Her projected cruise to Gigha was modified to take the mail (which had somehow missed the CalMac sailing the previous evening) to Colonsay. So, we sailed at 10:00 and stopped long enough at Colonsay (12:42 - 13:00) to allow a photo opportunity before arriving at Gigha 45 minutes late at 15:30. Our visit was cut by 15 miinutes and we left again at 16:00 to arrive back at Oban 5 minutes late at 19:35.
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| mv Balmoral at the pier on Colonsay
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| Balmoral at Colonsay |
mv Balmoral at the pier on Gigha | |
Day 4 - Sunday, May 1 — Balmoral was starting from Fort William at 10:00 so some of us passed the morning with a non-landing cruise on CalMac's 10:00 sailing on the Isle of Mull to Craignure (10:45 - 11:02) arriving back in Oban at 11:50. (Fare �4.60.) We then boarded Balmoral which sailed half an hour behind schedule at 12:45 for the traditional 4 Loch's and Corryvreckan Whirlpool cruise (which was calm) and returned to Oban ten minutes late at 17:40. I went for a fish supper and Balmoral continued to Fort William.
Once again, I took no photos.
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| Iona Abbey |
Day 5 - Monday, May 2
— Waverley started from Fort William at 09:30 and was due at Oban at 11:40 but did
not sail until 12:00. We again proceeding round the south end of Mull to anchor off Iona
half an hour behind schedule at 15:00. This year, passengers were successfully
transferred to and from the island by the launches "Ossian of Staffa" and "Iolaire of
Iona", but I stayed aboard. We left Iona 35 minute late at 17:05 and reached Oban at
20:10, 35 minutes late. I took advantage of spare seats on the Glasgow coach and leaving
Oban at 20:20, was back in Glasgow at 22:40.
And that was it for the Western
Isles, next stop Lamlash.
Balmoral at Lamlash — Saturday, 14 May 1994
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This was a Clyde River Steamer Club charter (not covered by my Commodore ticket) leaving Greenock at 09:15 and calling at Helensburgh (09:40) and Largs (11:00), then through the Kyles of Bute and down to Brodick (14:00) and Lamlash (14:45). Then there was a cruise round Holy Isle returning to Lamlash (16:00), Brodick (17:00), Largs (18:30), Helensburgh (19:50) to terminate at Greenock at 20:15. The fare was �17.50.
On the day, I
travelled with Dave on the 07:55 train from Glasgow to Greenock Central
(�3.80 cheap day return, Dave paid), arriving at 08:28. We sailed 4 minutes
late and arrived at Lamlash 5 minutes late, where we disembarked, I took
most of these photos and then had time for a leisurely refreshment. The
return sailing departed at 16:03 but lost time somewhere and we were 27
minutes late at Greenock at 20:42. We then caught a train at 21:16 and were
back in Glasgow at 21:59.
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Balmoral at Lamlash Pier, Holy Isle beyond |
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| Balmoral passing Holy Isle | Beinn Tarsuinn and the top of Goat Fell
above Lamlash |
Next stop, the North Antrim Coast Path.
PS
Caledonia Commemorative Diamond Jubilee Cruise departing
from Ayr at 11:15, calling at Troon (11:15), Millport (13:05),
Largs (13:35 and Dunoon (14:25) for a cruise to the Gareloch
returning to Dunoon (16:15), Largs (17:00), Millport (17:30) and
Troon (18:40) and arriving back at Ayr at 19:30.
On the
day, I caught the 09:00 train from Glasgow (�5.60 cheap day
return) arriving at Ayr at 09:50 with plenty of time to reach
the harbour and take these photos from the North Wall of
Waverley's three point turn to reach her berth on the South
Wall. We sailed at 11:17 and returned at 19:33. I caught the
train at 20:05 and was back in Glasgow at 20:53.
Waverley at Ayr — Sunday, 3 July 1994
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| Balmoral at St
Andrews |
The Lagoon |
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| The Castle and the
Angus Coast |
The Harbour |
Enough of sailing, lets go for a walk.
1995
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This was the fifth year that I purchased a Scottish Commodore ticket allowing unlimited sails on Waverley and Balmoral in all Scottish waters. The price of the Commodore Ticket was increased significantly to �395, so I had to work quite hard to get value for money and enjoyed as many sails as I could manage (52) over the year, but saved only �483.70 in unpaid fares. We won't mention the approximately �1480 I spent onboard and getting to and from all those sailings.
Waverley in the Western Isles — from Friday, 21 April 1995
Waverley was back for this traditional excursion, and it was again almost a fortnight rather than just the long weekend. Once again I had prepared a fine itinerary to maximise my enjoyment of the trip.
Day 1 - Friday, April 21 — Waverley sailed from Glasgow at 08:15 calling at Largs (10:45), Campbeltown (13:45 - 14:30) and Crinan (19:38 - 20:00) before arriving at Oban ten minutes late at 21:40. There I headed off for one night in the Youth Hostel (�7.55 plus 60p for sheets). I don't know why I took no photos as it was a very fine clear day.
Day 2 - Saturday, April 22 — Waverley sailed at 07:00, calling at Kyle of Lochalsh (12:00) and Broadford (13:00) followed by a cruise into Loch Carron, returning to Broadford (16:15) and Kyle (17:00) before heading for Portree, arriving there at 18:45. Dave and I booked into the Bosville Hotel for 5 nights B&B at �25 per night before joining Waverley again at 19:15 for an evening cruise to view the Crowlin Isles and Applecross, returning to Portree at 22:10. Again it had been a fine day and I know not why there are no photos.
Day 3 - Sunday, April 23 — It was a late start at 11:00 for Kyle (12:45) and Mallaig (14:30) followed by a cruise on Loch Hourn returning to Mallaig (17:00) and Kyle (18:45) and back to Portree 8 minutes early at 20:12. Waverley then sailed back to Kyle (22:00) for fuel and a rest day while we dined in the Ghandi and drank a few beers.
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| The
Skye Bridge from the Waverley |
Loch Fyne berthed
at the railway pier, with a foreign gunboat on the end of the pier |
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| Heading
for the Skye Bridge |
Looking south to the gap in the Skye Bridge | |
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| Looking back to the
Skye Bridge |
PS Waverley berthed at Portree |
Day 4 - Monday, April 24 — No Waverley today but Richard turned up with a car (he was on his way home after a weekend walking) and gave four of us a lift down to Sconser in time for the 10:30 sailing on the ferry "Raasay" to Raasay (�2.90 return). We arrived on Raasay at 10:47 and, the weather having deteriorated considerably, decided not to ascend Dun Caan but walked in heavy rain to the Isle of Raasay Hotel for lunch. The rain had diminished greatly when we set off back to catch the 14:30 ferry back to Sconser. (We were the only passengers!) We had been told there might be a bus at 15:30 but one turned up empty at 15:08 and we were back in Portree at 15:28 (�1.90), having picked up no other passengers. We spent the evening in the pub. No photos.
Day 5 - Tuesday, April 25 — Waverley sailed from Kyle at 07:45 and called at Portree at 09:30 where she picked up a goodly number of school children for a cruise to Dunvegan whence they would return to Portree by coach. We set off heading north in fine weather into a gentle swell but when she turned round the north of the island, the swell came abeam and she rolled. Some passengers enjoyed this but it caused some discomfort amongst the scholars and when we arrived at Uig (12:30), they decided to abandon ship despite assurances that the worst was past. As indeed it was, we had a smooth sail round to Dunvegan, arriving five minutes early at 14:10, where I got off while Waverley went off for a cruise to Ardmore Point.
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| Waverley at
Dunvegan |
Waverley reversing in Loch Dunvegan |
The return journey departed at 15:45, calling at Uig (17:30) and reaching Portree on time at 20:15 after another interesting passage round the north end. Waverley then continued to Kyle (22:00).
Day 6 - Wednesday, April 26 — Waverley would start her day from Kyle so those of us in Portree caught a bus at 07:52 (�4.60 to Kyle including the ferry fare) and arrived at Kyleakin at 08:43. The ferry Loch Dunvegan sailed at 08:54 for the 10 minute crossing to Kyle.
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The Hebridean Princess (nee Columba)
passing Kyleakin with Loch Dunvegan in the foreground on the slip at Kyle |
| Skye Bridge from
the Loch Dunvegan at Kyleakin |
The tug Flying Childers sank off Kyle about three weeks earlier and had just been recovered by the heavy lift barge Norma hence these photos of them blocking the Railway Pier.
Loch Fyne berthed at Kyle |
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The Skye Bridge |
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Waverley sailed at 09:45 from the Fishing Pier, with few passengers despite the fine weather, and arived at Mallaig at 11:15. I disembarked with friends leaving Waverley to cruise back to the Skye Bridge and Kyle (14:00), returning to Mallaig at 16:00. Meanwhile, we left Mallaig at 12:10 on Iona (�3.90 return) to go to Armadale (12:40) for lunch in the Ardvasar Hotel, returning on Iona from Armadale at 14:30 to Mallaig at 14:57. We left Mallaig a little early (with all passengers accounted for) and arrived at Kyle on time at 18:00. At 18:10, it was again the Loch Dunvegan across to Kyleakin where Eddie appeared with a car and gave some of us a lift back to Portree arriving at 19:13.
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| A small mv Iona in
front of Eigg |
PS Waverley at Mallaig |
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Iona heading for Armadale, from the shore
at Ardvasar. The isolated peak on the left is Ben Sgritheall (974m) above Loch Hourn. |
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PS Waverley approaching the pier at Mallaig | |
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| Waverley
approaching the pier at Tarbert, Harris
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Day 7 -
Thursday, April 27 — Another complicated
day. Waverley sailed at 10:15 from Lochmaddy for a
schools cruise to Tarbert (12:15) then back to
Lochmaddy at 14:45 and Tarbert at 16:40. Those of us
in Portree made our way to Uig (thanks, Eddie) for
the 09:30 sailing on Hebridean Isles to Tarbert
(�11.70 period return) arriving at 11:25 and waited
to sail on Waverley at 12:40 to Lochmaddy and back.
We stayed overnight in The MacLeod Motel. When I
arranged the accommodation a month or so earlier,
they said they didn't open till May but could offer
a bed and continental breakfast for �12, of which we
were happy to take advantage. As were several
others!
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| Leaving Tarbert on
the Hebridean Isles |
Day 8 -
Friday, April 28 — Waverley was sailing
to and out of Stornoway today, offering little new
to committed passengers and some difficulty getting
to Oban for the morrow, so we eschewed that sail and
took the 07:30 sailing on the Hebridean Isles to Uig
arriving at 09:15. The bus left at 09:30 (�5.90 to
Kyle) and after a pause at Portree (09:52 - 10:14)
reached Kyleakin at 11:07 to connect with the 11:13
sailing on Loch Fyne across the kyle. We stayed
aboard at Kyle (11:23 - 11:50) and returned to
Kyleakin at 12:01. No-one bothered to collect the
fare for the return journey. After a light lunch, we
caught another bus at 13:05 to Armadale (�3.00)
arriving there at 13:52.
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| Just as
Waverley arrives from her overnight
anchorage |
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From Armadale, we caught the 14:30 sailing on Iona to Mallaig (�2.30 single), arriving there at 14:55 We no doubt found some pleasant way to pass the time till the train departed at 16:12 (�6.60 single) for Fort William arriving there at 17:28. After booking in to the Croit Anna Hotel (3 nights B&B for �72.00), Dave and I returned to the town for a few beers.
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| Iona
arrives at Armadale |
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Day 9 - Saturday, April 29 — Waverley was at Oban so we caught a bus which passed the hotel at 06:38 (�4.00 single) and after a pause at Ballachulish (06:58 - 07:27) reached Oban at 08:30. Waverley sailed at 11:00 for Tobermory (13:00) and a cruise round Staffa, returning to Tobermory (17:00) and Oban (19:00) before continuing to Fort William for the night, arriving there two minutes early at 21:08.
Day 10 - Sunday, April 30 — Waverley sailed at 10:00 for Oban (12:15) and the standard 4 Lochs and Corryvreckan Whirlpool cruise returning to Oban (17:30) and Fort William, again arriving two minutes early at 21:08.
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Waverley at Fort William |
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| Ben Nevis from Loch Linnhe | The ferry at
Corran, Ardgour |
Day 10 - Monday, May 1 — Waverley sailed from Fort William at 09:30, called at Oban (11:40) and headed for Iona round the south end of Mull where we encountered a significant swell which increased as we approached the Sound. In the event, it proved impossible to find an anchorage where we could safely transfer passengers to the two launches which were to ferry us ashore so it was decided to give up. As the anchor came up, it was found to have snagged a cable between the island and Mull. That took a while to dislodge and we scarpered quickly before anyone ashore found themselves without telephone or electricity. We returned past Staffa and the Treshnish Isles to pass down the Sound of Mull, arriving in Oban at 19:40. Waverley continued to Fort William while Dave and I repaired to the Youth Hostel (�7.55 + 60p for sheets) and after a couple of pints for a nightcap, retired.
Day 11 - Tuesday, May 2 — Waverley returned to Oban to take on fuel and water and sailed in the wee sma' oors for the Thames, leaving us to catch a train at 08:05 which was delayed a while at Crianlarich (09:13 - 09:45) and arrived ten minutes late in Glasgow at 11:25. I caught a bus home.
I took no more slides in 1995, instead I used colour negative film for a walk in Ireland, during which the shutter jammed on this camera, and before I got around to replacing it, I needed a camera at short notice and bought a cheap one and continued with prints for the rest of the year. For the foreseeable future, these can be found elsewhere.
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John Reynolds - May 2015