Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape

With some relatively minor exceptions, ferry services on the Clyde are run by Caledonian-MacBrayne, a state-owned company formed out of the merger of the state owned Caledonian Steam Packet Company (operating on the Firth of Clyde) and David MacBrayne Ltd, a part privately owned company operating services in the Western Isles. Whilst MacBrayne had, for most of the steamer era, been in a monopoly position in its area, the Clyde was subject to continuous, often ruinous, competition.

Small fleets and independent vessels run by private owners essentially gave way in 1889 to the three main competing railway companies, who were extending their tracks to the Clyde coast and established fleets to challenge for the commuter traffic and the increasing tourist excursion trade, especially to the resorts of Dunoon (Cowal), Rothesay (Bute) and Brodick (Arran). A significant market developed for cruising in its own right, especially to escape the industrial city of Glasgow at weekends. The sons of Captain William Buchanan and Captain John Williamson, son of Captain Alexander, whose brothers James and Alex ran two of the three railway fleets, remained in private ownership. John Williamson was also a founding partner in the Turbine Steamer Syndicate, established to run the world's first commercial Turbine Steamer, King Edward, in 1901.

Only with railway nationalisation after the Second World War did the fleets ultimately combine under the title of the Caledonian Steam Packet Company and it was not until 1971 that services for Dunoon and cruises were concentrated on the port of Gourock (Caledonian) after the final closure of Craigendoran (North British / LNER). Caledonian-MacBrayne disposed of the last Paddle Steamer (Waverley) after the 1973 season and the last Turbine Steamer (Queen Mary) four years later. Cal-Mac as they are commonly known, now operate a series of ferry shuttle services across the Firth, providing highly efficient links for cars, cargo and foot passengers. Waverley, now under private ownership, continues the cruising tradition of the "Clyde Steamer".

Caledonian-MacBrayne inherited the services of the Caledonian Steam Packet Company but are now purely ferry operators. Waverley continues to spend the summer season on a traditional cruise programe under her charitable preservationist owners.

Waverley Steam Navigation Co Ltd / Waverley Excursions Ltd (1975-date)

These companies do not operate steamship services

Caledonian-MacBrayne Ltd (operated steamers 1973-1977 and offered limited cruising with notor vessels for some years subsequently)
Western Ferries : Car ferry services from McInroy's Point (near Gourock) to Hunters' Quay (near Dunoon)
Clyde Marine Cruising / Clyde Marine Services : Operators of small passenger vessels MV The Second Snark and MV Clyde Cruiser

Apart from the cruises offered by PS Waverley, Cal-Mac's withdrawal from cruising has left Clyde Marine Services / Clyde Marine Cruising as the main provider of excursion opportunities on the Clyde. For many years this company, originating in tendering business, have offered short cruises and pier-to-pier services in the upper firth with their small ex-tug/tender motor vessels Kenilworth and The Second Snark. Kenilworth was withdrawn in 2006 and replaced by "Clyde Cruiser" an excellent new motor vessel which is available for charter. The Second Snark (built 1938 for use at Wm. Denny's Dumbarton shipyard and in the fleet since 1969) now concentrates on cruises from Greenock and Helensburgh to Blairmore (for connecting buses to Benmore Botanical Gardens) and into Loch Long from early May to mid-October. The Second Snark's schedule until recently included regular trips to Lochranza (Arran) via Rothesay and the Kyles of Bute and to Largs and Millport, but she is now strongly marketing sailings into "Scotland's Fjord" and into Scotland's new "National Park".

Dunoon Pier - a celebration
Ian McCrorie
Published in 1997 by Argyll Publishing, Glendaruel, Argyll  PA22 3AE
ISBK 1 874640 68 8
Extensive illustrated history of the pier and services at one of the Clyde's premier resorts in Ian McCrorie's informative and highly readably style. In hardback

Tighnabruaich Pier
Ian McCrorie
Published in 2002 by the Thighnabruaich Pier Association and Douglas press, Glendaruel, Argyll, PA22 3AE
ISBN 1 902831 82 9
Detailed story, copiously illustrated, of the pier on the Kyles of Bute, a favoured destination for cruises for generations

Lochranza Pier
Ian McCrorie
Published in 2003 by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd, The Ferry Terminal, Gourock, PA19 1QP
ISBN 0 9507166 2 6
Written by Clyde steamer expert Ian McCrorie to celebrate the reopening of the pier on the isle of Arran for use by PS Waverley