This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Waverley back doon the water
14/06/2003
The world's last remaining seagoing paddle steamer, the Waverley, is back on the Clyde following a £7 million restoration.
Tourism and Culture Minister Frank McAveety was at the quayside on the Clyde this morning to re-launch a famous national icon.
The return of the Waverley will help preserve and enhance Scotland's heritage for future generations to come and will also attract enthusiasts and admirers from around the globe to Scotland.
Mr McAveety said:
"It is a pleasure to have one of the most recognisable icons of Scottish engineering back home. The Waverley which was originally built by the Inglis's yard here on the Clyde and launched in 1947, is a symbol of the great engineering heritage of Scotland.
"Thanks to the grants and contributions towards the rebuilding of the Waverley, enthusiasts from across the world can enjoy excursions 'doon the watter' for years to come".
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), a UK-wide Lottery Distributing Body, has provided the Waverley project with two grants totalling nearly £6 million.
The HLF provides grants for projects designed to preserve and enhance Scotland's Heritage buildings, objects and the environment. A Scottish Committee, chaired by Sir Angus Grossart, makes decisions on awards up to £2m.
To date more than 800 projects totalling £247.8m have been made in Scotland. Some resource allocations include; £82m has been invested in the renaissance of museums in Scotland, £12.8m towards securing the long-term future of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and £7.1m for the purchase of Titian for the National Galleries of Scotland.