THE prospect of the paddle steamer Waverley returning to Helensburgh pier took a tantalising step closer at the weekend.

The famous ship hasn't called at the pier since it was closed to all marine traffic on safety grounds in October 2018.

More than five years later, the ship was seen approaching the pier on Saturday morning - and while it didn't actually tie up alongside, Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) is hoping that the visit brings the prospect of regular calls at the town a small, but potentially significant, step nearer to reality.

It was part of four days of sea and berthing trials which included two approaches to Helensburgh pier in a bid to assess its suitability for future use.

Bill Purdon, who is part of the Pier Regeneration Group within HCC, updated the community in a post on social media.

He said: "PS Waverley was carrying out planned sea trials on Saturday and part of the trials was to utilise a pier for practice approach berthing.

"As Helensburgh Pier was in the area of the trials, it was decided to make use of the facility.

"Once the remedial work is carried out on Helensburgh Pier, under the HCC sub group, the Waverley will be using the pier once again."

Earlier this year, the sub group confirmed the paddle steamer would return to the town under their plans to bring the pier back into use.

They also aim to attract cruise passengers from Greenock as well as other vessels to bring visitors to Helensburgh.

Since the closure of Helensburgh's pier, the Waverley's closest calls to town have been at Kilcreggan, with coach transfers available for those who have bought tickets in advance.

The Waverley will pay its first visit of the year to Kilcreggan this Friday, May 17, on the ship's very first cruise of 2024 - a sail from Glasgow and Greenock to Dunoon, Tighnabruaich and a cruise around Inchmarnock, off the west coast of Bute, and round Skate Island at the mouth of Loch Fyne

Following visits to the Inner Hebrides, Northern Ireland, South Wales, the Bristol Channel, North Wales and the Mersey, the Waverley's main summer cruising season on the Clyde, including regular calls at Kilcreggan, runs from June 28 until August 25.

To find out more about the Waverley's 2024 schedules, and to buy tickets in advance, see waverleyexcursions.co.uk.