A RARE bottle of an Arran Malt Distillery Exclusive Single Cask will be auctioned to support the historic Waverley Paddle Steamer.

The whisky is number one of just 225 bottles of 12 year-old single malt, aged delicately in a single bourbon barrel and bottled at 59.6% ABV.

Listed as a “vessel of pre-eminent national importance”, the Waverley has a special place in the hearts of Scots and, more recently, the whole of the British Isles.

The current Waverley was built in 1946 as a replacement for an earlier paddle-steamer of the same name which served in both wars.

Arran Distillery bottled this whisky to raise money to help complete boiler repairs that were necessary to keep the paddle-steamer going throughout the 2020 season. Following a hard year, funds are desperately needed to ensure that the Waverley can be repaired through the winter to recommence the much loved public trips from 2021.

Arran Distillery Tour Guide, Campbell Laing, was at the forefront of the campaign to raise money for the Waverley through the Arran limited edition bottling. He will sell his own first bottle via the auction to raise even more funds to keep the boat going.

The Isle of Arran Distillers Team said: “The Waverley is one of the last sea-going paddle steamers in the world and is a real institution of the Clyde with many Scots holding fond memories of times spent on it enjoying the journey up and down the West Coast.

“We at Isle of Arran Distillers, together with our thoughtful and generous tour guide, Campbell Laing, want to do our best to help ensure that the Waverley keeps sailing.

“It is not every day you can find bottle number one of an Arran Single Cask, and what better occasion to get involved, donate and support a very good cause. We would also like to express our appreciation and gratitude to the wonderful team at Whisky.Auction for making all this possible.”

This precious bottle is packaged along with a hip-flask and mini glass decanter with matching tot glasses.

The auction will be live for 10 days from Sunday, November 29 to Tuesday, December 8. Those wishing to bid can register for an account by visiting www.whisky.auction.