Waverley Paddle Steamer, Bute & Burns Country

Day One: Arrival

We depart our Henely and travel north, making suitable comfort stops along the way. We continue into Ayrshire and arrive at the Riverside Lodge Hotel in Irvine, our base for the next four nights. Settle into your room before dinner and time to relax.

Day Two

This morning we travel to Wemyss Bay, where we board the ferry across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Bute. On arrival, we visit Mount Stuart, an extraordinary Gothic Revival mansion set within extensive gardens and grounds. There will be time to admire the house's elaborate interiors and enjoy the peaceful surroundings before we continue with a scenic tour of the island, taking in coastal views, rolling countryside and the charming character of Bute. Later, we return by ferry from Rothesay and travel back to the hotel.

Day Three

Our day begins with a visit to Dumfries House, a fine 18th-century stately home set within a beautiful Ayrshire estate. We enjoy an included house tour, discovering elegant interiors, fascinating history and the renowned collection of Chippendale furniture, followed by a sandwich lunch. In the afternoon we continue to Alloway for the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, where exhibits, manuscripts and historic sites celebrate the life and legacy of Scotland's National Bard.

Day Four

Today is the highlight of our tour as we step aboard the iconic Waverley Paddle Steamer, the world's last seagoing paddle steamer. Sailing from Ayr, we enjoy a wonderfully nostalgic cruise through the Clyde waters to Loch Long and Loch Goil, surrounded by dramatic hills, wooded shores and ever-changing coastal scenery, before returning to Largs. On board, there is plenty to enjoy, from taking in the views on deck and listening to the rhythm of the paddles to seeing the impressive steam engine in operation. Waverley also offers comfortable lounges, catering facilities, a dining saloon and a souvenir shop, making this a truly memorable day afloat.

Day Five

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Irvine and begin our journey home. We travel south with suitable comfort stops en route, arriving back in our local area later in the day with fond memories of Scotland's islands, heritage and spectacular Clyde coast.