Day trippers are left disappointed as Waverley doesn’t go full steam ahead

Excited day trippers were told their journey would not go full steam ahead.

Eager to board the famous Waverley, guests were told last month their trip was cancelled due to gale weather warnings.

And while the past months have seen Ayrshire bathed in sun, unlucky sailors were turned away as the world’s only seagoing paddle steamer wouldn’t be setting sail.

Many Waverley boarders hoping to see Ailsa Craig up close took to social media to express their upset.

Wendy Gray said: “My friend was going but she has been contacted by them to say it’s been cancelled.”

Terri Bell added: “It’s not surprising, it hardly ever goes.

“I had one very disappointed little boy last year. Didn’t bother booking this year as couldn’t face the tears again.”

Councillor Alec Clark said the cancellations can be a disappointment for tourists.

Cllr Clark said: “In my view, when people are on holiday from all different parts of the UK and indeed from further afield, when they see the last ocean- going paddle steamer in the world, it can be the highlight of their visit.

“All of a sudden being told ‘ oh you can’t get on because the ship is full’ or ‘ you can’t get in because of the conditions’, it’s a real big disappointment for them.

“It can be very frustrating for them and I don’t think it helps tourism if a service is advertised and then when they go down to actually use it and they’re told it’s not available.

“And I don’t think it really does the profile or image of the Waverley much good either.

“We had a gentleman who used to come down every year and go round each shop and would have a poster up of the various times and journeys.

“And for some reason or another they’re not as efficient at doing that anymore.

“I think they need to manage that, not only for their own benefit but for the benefit of tourism in general around Scotland.

“What they want to do is make sure people take away the image of Scotland, the image of the Waverley as something they remember for the rest of their lives.

“The more we can help this type of thing, and especially in Girvan when we’re trying to promote tourism - and indeed South Ayrshire as a whole.”