MV Balmoral

Built in 1949, MV Balmoral is now a heritage pleasure steamer but was originally used as a car ferry operating between Southampton and the Isle of Wight.

Once owned by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, who also own the paddle steamer Waverley, Balmoral is now operated by White Funnel Ltd, mostley around the coast of Wales and the south of England.

Having come up to the Clyde for September Weekend and Millport Illuminations, I managed to get some  pictures as she dropped off some of her passengers before returning to Glasgow overnight.

The latest reports are that Saturday and Sunday's sailings have been cancelled due to high winds forecast.

Greenock today

Well, with the sun shining this afternoon, I thought a trip up the docks would be a good way to while away a couple of hours.

Balmoral showing off her new coat of paint

Tall ships Challenger 1 and Challenger 3

HMS Blyth in the drydock with HMS Penzance hiding behind

Kommander Calum and SD Salmoor

Section of disused Buoy

Waverley & Balmoral coming out of the drydock

All spruced up and ready for the new season and looking fabulous in their new coats of paint.

Balmoral

I missed Balmoral and Waverley going into Garvel Drydock a couple of weeks ago. I think they are due out soon so I'm hoping that I'll manage to get to see them both coming out.

In the meantime I've been down a couple of times to see how they are looking.

Balmoral sitting waiting for a shiny new coat

Doesn't she look wonderful?

Balmoral

Another of Fred Olsen's liners visited Greenock today. This time it was Balmoral. Weather was pretty miserable when she arrived early this morning but had cleared up a bit by the time she departed this evening. I hope she has a smooth sailing on her way to Invergordon.