PADDLE Steamer Waverley – the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world – is scheduled to sail from Ardrossan Harbour for the first time in six years on Friday, August 8.

The Waverley will make a special sailing from Ardrossan for one day only to mark the 40th anniversary since the historic ship was ‘gifted’ to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society by Caledonian MacBrayne and saved for the nation for just £1.

The steamer had been withdrawn from service by CalMac in 1973 as she was uneconomical and in need of heavy maintenance After being sold for the token sum in 1974 a public appeal raised enough money to return the vessel to steam and since 1975 Waverley has cruised the Firth of Clyde each summer but rarely from Ardrossan.

Waverley last sailed from Ardrossan on a charity fundraising cruise in 2008 but her last scheduled day cruise from the Ayrshire port was almost 30 years ago.

The cruise this year will take Waverley across the Firth of Clyde to the north Arran coast calling at Lochranza before steaming round Inchmarnock Island situated off Bute.

Waverley will sail from Ardrossan Harbour at 12.50pm and return at 6.20pm. Staff from the Arran Distillery will be aboard and Waverley passengers going ashore at Lochranza can book a discounted tour of the distillery.

There will also be live music aboard.

Waverley has full catering facilities available which will be open throughout the cruise.

The triple expansion steam engine is open to full public view and there is even an on-board souvenir shop.

Tickets for the celebration cruise are available at waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling 0845 130 4647.