Take a step back in time to the golden age of the Clyde. In this video, we visit the historic Dunoon Pier for the “Steamers of the Clyde” celebration held on April 18, 2026.
This special event, organized by the Cowal Heritage Society and Ship Ahoy, brought together over 800 maritime enthusiasts to celebrate the 1960s and 70s heyday of the Clyde fleet and kick off the 80th-anniversary celebrations for the legendary PS Waverley.
🎤 Featuring: Iain Quinn
The heart of the day was a series of captivating talks by Iain Quinn, renowned maritime author, historian, and PS Waverley Quartermaster. Iain shares his deep passion and unparalleled knowledge of the vessels that once defined “Doon the Watter” travel, illustrating the legacy of the steamers with rare insights and personal anecdotes. We feature an edited version of Iain’s talk and an interview with Iain.
⚓ In This Video:
• The Talk: Highlights from Iain Quinn’s presentations in the pier’s pavilion.
• The Models: A close-up look at the incredible, large-scale working models of the PS Jeanie Deans, TS Duchess of Hamilton, and the PS Waverley (crafted by John McNulty and Alistair Spencer).
• The Atmosphere: A tour of the stalls featuring the Tighnabruaich Pier Association, Waverley Excursions Ltd, and various maritime memorabilia.
• The Pier: Reflections on the future of Dunoon Pier and the community’s desire to see it fully restored for the Waverley’s return.
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Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction – David
0:20 – Depart for Dunoon
2:20 – Dunoon arrival
3:20 – Showcase: Precision Model Steamers
10:20 – Stalls & Memorabilia
11:21 – Interview with Iain Quinn
16:09 – Photos to view
18:18 – Iain Quinn talk, highlights only
44:19 – Views from Dunoon pier
46:39 – Quick look behind the pier
49:04 – Goodbye from David
49:39 – The end. Thanks for watching
music from Epidemic sound
#ClydeSteamers #DunoonPier #PSWaverley #MaritimeHistory #IainQuinn #DoonTheWatter #ScotlandHeritage #Steamships #CowalHeritage
