Waverley to the rescue as paddle steamer picks up CalMac passengers stranded on Isle of Mull

Published: 20:44, 20 May 2026 | Updated: 20:44, 20 May 2026 IT is the last paddle steamer built on the Clyde and will this year celebrate 80 years since it was launched. But the PS Waverley, the only sea-going one of its kind in the world still carrying passengers, showed there is plenty life left in the historic vessel when it steamed over to help passengers stranded on a broken down CalMac ferry half its age. Some 42 people on board the MV lsle of Mull were stranded in Craignure, on the Argyll and Bute island, after it developed a fault on Tuesday. However, when the crew of the paddle steamer, which was on its way back from its final Oban and the Inner Hebrides sailing, learned of the issue they offered to help. A spokesman for the Waverley told West Coast Today: ‘Given Waverley was heading down the Sound of Mull from Tobermory and Salen bound for Oban, we contacted CalMac and made the offer that Waverley could call in at Craignure and pick up any foot passengers remaining. Full steam ahead: The Waverley still going strong after 80 years All aboard: Waiting to get on the Waverley  ‘Waverley then made the call at Craignure around 7pm and picked up 42 passengers and returned them to Oban. We were happy to be able to offer this at no cost given the support CalMac has shown towards Waverley over many years.’ The Isle of Mull was launched in December 1987 and sailed its maiden voyage the following April. It is almost exactly half the age of the Waverley, which was launched in October 1946. The Isle of Mull is the latest of CalMac’s ageing fleet to develop issues with the ferry operator admitting it has faced ‘unprecedented’ pressures this year to service island communities amid breakdowns and scheduled maintenance work. Last night the ferry operator said it would not comment but a service update on its website said there were further sailings cancelled yesterday (Wed) ‘due the ongoing technical issue with MV Isle of Mull’. It added ‘day trips are not advised’. Meanwhile, the MV Isle of Lewis has broken down again – just days after returning to service following a near four-month absence. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.