The Kintyre Forum

Paddle steamer Waverley sailing down the Kilbrannan Sound off Carradale today on a trip round the Mull of Kintyre to Islay.

saw it go by sanda later on in the afternoon

The Waverly USED to come in on Wednesdays. What happened to that, or still it does come in??

Annie wrote:What happened to that..

The town shut.

Malky

..... they roll up the pavements on Wednesdays, don't they! LOL!

no they just throw away the keys and lock us in..........

Ach JDCarra, if you'd come up wae us to the Music Festival in Oban this weekend, you could have managed some right snaps of the auld Lady.

Is she naw jeest looking 'Right Pongal!'

That's a really nice pic, RP.

Bobbie En Tejas wrote:That's a really nice pic, RP.

Ach Bobbie En Tejas, can I naw jeest call you BET? Your more than generous wae your praise, I'm quite sure you've got photos that are even better than this. I jeest happened to trip on the pier in Oban as the young Pongals were dancing and singing their hearts out in the Corran Halls against Argyll's finest. Finding maself firmly anchored to the deck, I was just able to steady the camera long enough to photograph this fine looking vessel. When I got home, I saw JDCarra's excellent photographs, and realised it was the exact same vessel.

Boys-O-Dear, she must be fast, reaching Oban so soon after JD spotted in her in the Sound.

You know, I heard some Americans walking past as I was focusing on the rivetting, and heard one saying: 'That's quite something. I think she's the last Scottish Paddle pusher.'

Well that's not quite right, but she is the last sea-going paddle steamer in the World. I was tempted to say to him: 'Here Clint, have you anything as 'Pongal' as this back home?' However, discretion is the better part of valour as they say, and I managed to bite ma tongue, which was quite something, because if I'd waited in that Lorne bar another instant, I may not have been able to bite my thumb!

Aw, Pongal, you should have asked. The American would have been glad to compare notes and tell you of one if he knew of one or say no, yours is the best if he didn't. Credit where credit is due.

I doubt we have sea-going paddle steamers, but we do have (or perhaps had) a paddle steamer in New Orleans I've been on called the Natchez. Hopefully it made it through Katrina. Yours looks quite different.

Pongal, the subject matter, the background and the lighting all make your photograph very interesting. You really caught it just right.

Yi wid notice of coorse that while the Waverly does the side stroke, the Natchez does the backstroke. Ah donno hoot difference it a makes except that wi oor wan yi get twice as much paddlin power at the sides than hoot yi dae wi jeest the wan at yir ar$e.
The other thing aboot it a is that where Natchez haes stuff for gamblers, oors is a gamble jeest gan up the gang plank.
Mind you, if theres uvver any threat o it gettin scrapped, ah think the cooncil might think aboot turnin it intae offices. Lakely tho, sumboady will tell us if thats OK or naw. As lang as theres naebody wi dirty boots paradin in an oot o the wheel hoose ah dont see hoot herm it wid dae.

Bobbie En Tejas wrote:Aw, Pongal, you should have asked. The American would have been glad to compare notes and tell you of one if he knew of one or say no, yours is the best if he didn't. Credit where credit is due.

I doubt we have sea-going paddle steamers, but we do have (or perhaps had) a paddle steamer in New Orleans I've been on called the Natchez. Hopefully it made it through Katrina. Yours looks quite different.

great photo ,i think that is the boat i visited when i was in the states,apparently it was the only place you could legally gamble as it was on the water,we boarded at night so didn't get a proper look ,remember that we did have a really nice meal aboard her before we spent all our money

Very funny Pete

It is a nice pic UM. I didn't take it, I found it on the net. I'm not sure if there was gambling on it when I was there, but had a really nice meal and a dixie jazz band. I loved New Orleans.

Just found the site for the Waverly: http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/ I would like to sail on that. Too bad it doesn't still stop in Campbeltown.

Right Pongal wrote:

but she is the last sea-going paddle steamer in the World.

And here is a similiar one, but fresh water "The Maid of the Loch" on Loch Lomond berthed at Balloch.



Pictured before her restoration all done by volunteers.



to this, with a gift shop and tearoom with lovely soup, sandwiches, toasties etc.
Well worth a visit with free admission.