A ship that hasn’t visited Dundee in over 40 years is coming back this morning

Waverley is making its first stop in Dundee in over 40 years. (Picture: Wikimedia Commons)

Dundee is set to welcome back a famous visitor tomorrow, as the paddle steamer Waverley berths in the city for the first time in over 40 years.

The world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, Waverley has been making her way around the north of Scotland on her latest epic voyage.

After sailing past Cape Wrath and Dunnet Head on Tuesday, she sped through the Pentland Firth with Orkney on the horizon before setting course for the east coast. Dundee is her next stop, where she will take on fuel and water at the Port of Dundee.

Waverley is currently travelling south along the north east coast of Scotland and is expected to arrive in Dundee on the morning of Wednesday 27 August.

Her visit is part of a ‘northabouts’ repositioning sailing, a rare journey which has attracted attention from enthusiasts following her progress around the coast.

Launched in 1947, Waverley has a special place in maritime history as the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world.

She was named after Sir Walter Scott’s famous novel and has spent decades taking passengers on trips around Scotland and beyond.

In her heyday, she was a regular sight on the Clyde and later in other parts of the UK, but her return to Dundee marks a long-awaited comeback after more than four decades away.

The vessel is famed not only for her distinctive red, white and black funnels but also for the experience of stepping back in time aboard a piece of living history.

Enthusiasts often describe sailing on Waverley as like entering another era, with her traditional engines and authentic fittings preserved for future generations to enjoy.

While tomorrow’s stop is primarily for refuelling, her arrival is expected to spark nostalgia among Dundonians who remember her past visits.

For many, it will be a chance to catch a glimpse of a ship that represents both Scotland’s maritime heritage and a link to childhood memories of summer sailings.

After leaving Dundee, Waverley will continue her journey south to prepare for further trips later in the season.