THE paddle steamer Waverley has been awarded the prestigious status of National Flagship of the Year by National Historic Ships UK.

The award recognises the breadth and geographic coverage of Waverley’s sailings, in addition to the extended sailing programme planned for 2024.

This year will see a record-beating 70 ports and piers included within the ship's cruising itinerary.

Throughout the season Waverley will proudly fly a special flagship pennant to denote her national status and the ship will also receive an engraved brass plaque.

The Flagship of the Year status has been awarded annually by National Historic Ships UK since 2009 to spotlight vessels on the National Register of Historic Vessels.

Sir Timothy Laurence, patron of the Waverley, said: “I am delighted that Waverley has been awarded the title of National Flagship 2024.

"This reflects not only the very positive impression she has created around the UK in recent years but also the economic benefit she generates wherever she goes.

"My congratulations to the Waverley team for this well-deserved award."

Waverley’s 2024 sailing programme gets underway on Friday, May 17 with a weekend of sailings on the Clyde coast before she sets course for Oban and the Inner Hebrides.

As May turns to June, Waverley heads south for the Bristol Channel, where her sailings last summer were so well received almost all were sold out in advance.

Then she'll return to the Clyde for her main summer season between late June and late August.

A major highlight of the 2024 season will be Waverley’s return to the south-west of England and the River Dart in late August where she will exchange whistles with the paddle steamer Kingswear Castle as the last two operational paddle steamers in the UK meet for the first time in more than a decade. 

In September the ship will head for London and the Thames estuary, before a final weekend of Clyde cruises in mid-October to end the year.

Following Waverley’s successful 2023 season, an independent economic impact assessment concluded that passengers aboard the historic vessel contributed an impressive £11.6 million to UK economy, with £6m of that in Scotland and £5.6m across the rest of the UK.

Waverley's impact extends beyond financial metrics, supporting approximately 184 full-time equivalent jobs, compared to 136 in 2015.

Now, fifty years on since being gifted for £1, Waverley engages tens of thousands of passengers and supporters each year with her cruises in several areas of the UK.

The main Clyde coast season runs from June 28 to August 25, with a wide variety of cruises on offer from 16 towns and villages around the Firth of Clyde.

Tickets for sailings across the 2024 season can be booked online at waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling 0141 243 2224.