A PAINTING of the iconic Clyde paddle steamer Waverley by a Saltcoats artist is to go under the hammer this weekend.

The oil on canvas by Ian Orchardson (1927-1997) showing the Waverley passing John Brown’s yard in 1978, is expected to fetch between £500 and £800 at McTear’s Scottish Contemporary Art Auction on Sunday (February 22).  Commenting on the sale, Natasha Raskin from McTear’s said: “The Waverley has spent many years ferrying delighted holiday-makers doon the water and this beautiful image captures the halcyon days of the iconic paddle steamer perfectly.” Ian Orchardson lived in Saltcoats where he taught as an art teacher.

In time he left teaching to concentrate full time on his interest of painting Clyde shipping and over the years painted a variety of shipping scenes.

His works include a selection of Steamers and Clippers as well as a series of six famous ‘Doon the Water’ paintings of Dunoon Pier, Gourock Pier, Greenock Pier, Helensburgh Pier, Rothesay Pier and Wemyss Bay.

The Scottish Contemporary Art Auction will take place at McTear’s Auctioneers on Sunday, February 22 at 2pm.