Waverley returns to Helensburgh Pier cheered by crowds

The Waverley paddle steamer made a sensational sail-past to show support for the re-opening of Helensburgh Pier.

More than 500 people were on the pier to wave flags and cheer the approach despite grey skies.

The iconic vessel sailed from Greenock to her birth place of the old pier at Craigendoran and then slowly on to Helensburgh.

Even the RNLI lifeboat and an MOD rib shot past and Colquhoun Pipe Band played "Highland Cathedral" before the Waverley arrived on top at Helenesburgh.

Waverley approaching Helensburgh Pier (Image: Waverley Excursions) Waverley going astern out of the pier (Image: Waverley Excursions)

Campaigners are working to transfer the asset from Argyll and Bute Council so it can be brought back to use. The council has previously stated the pier was "not commercially viable".

But the Waverley, Destination Helensburgh and others are amongst those backing efforts to use and expand the pier.

The vessel did a large sweep of the bay on Sunday before coming alongside the pier and the crowd response was described as "ecstatic".

Bill Purdon, chair of the local group pushing for the pier reopen, said: “What a fantastic turnout from the people of Helensburgh.

Crowds on Helensburgh Pier cheering and waving (Image: Waverley Excursions) A view from Waverley as she gently edges towards the pier (Image: Waverley Excursions)

"The show of support for reopening the pier is absolutely tremendous.

“A big thank you to everyone who took part, and it gives us greater belief that we must get the pier open again."

He added: "Discussions with Helensburgh Pier’s owners, Argyll and Bute Council, are at an advanced stage. So we can give regular updates on progress, we have established a Facebook page and an Instagram account."

John Beveridge, director of Waverley Excursions and another member of the pier group, said: “We brought over a hundred flags to give out but they were snapped up within minutes.

"It is hugely encouraging to know that so many people want to see the pier open again. Waverley can make Helensburgh a destination and add to the economic development of the town.”

Waverley's purser Andrew Comrie surveying the crowd who turned out to greet the ship as she passed close on Sunday (Image: Ian Milne) (Image: Stephen Lipton)

And Paul Semple, Waverley Excursions general manager, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people on Helensburgh Pier and also aboard Waverley as she sailed past the pier on Sunday.

"To have witnessed such a large gathering of locals cheering loudly and waving clearly demonstrates there is strong support to repair and reopen Helensburgh Pier to allow Waverley to make regular calls once again.

“I urge those working behind the scenes to save Helensburgh Pier to move the campaign on given the clear support we all witnessed. I look forward to bringing the Waverley back to Helensburgh in the near future - only next time to berth rather than steam past."

The Waverley called regularly at Helensburgh Pier for more than 30 years until it was closed to marine traffic in 2018.

Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess, policy lead for business development, said: "I am pleased to confirm that I have had a number of meetings with the Waverley trust and others, and that council officers are in discussions with the community group to support bringing the pier back into use.”

Councillor Maurice Corry, who was a founding member of Helensburgh Pier Regeneration Committee within Helensburgh Community Council, said: "I was delighted to see Waverley sail by. It really was quite a moving moment to see that happen. 

"And I'm delighted with the progress that we're making with the plan for the Helensburgh Pier regeneration and getting it open for marine traffic as soon as we possibly can. 

"I would like to say thank you to the Argyll and Bute Council who have been extremely cooperative and helpful and continue to do so over this, and also with the members of our group who are very experienced members in this sort of area of business and activity.

"And we are very blessed with that enormous amount of skills on our Helensburgh Peir Regeneration Group.

"The pier regeneration will be a great success and I think that was demonstrated by the number of people who came out to welcome the Waverley sailing by. 

"What a splendid occasion it was. I'm delighted for our residents that we will be making good progress to get this in place and the pier open as soon as we possibly can."