Princess Anne visits new £20m Greenock cruise terminal

HRH Princess Anne was officially welcomed to the terminal by Provost Drew McKenzie, council leader Stephen McCabe and Stuart Jamieson, the local authority environment and regeneration director, and piper Fraser Gallagher, from Port Glasgow High School.

Proud Provost McKenzie said he was 'delighted' to welcome such a VIP visitor to the new terminal.

He said: "Even though it was a cloudy Scottish day, the wonderful coastline of Inverclyde speaks for itself and Greenock Ocean Terminal visitor centre is one of the best places to view it. The project was a fine example of partnership working and that continues with various businesses and interests all involved in the running of the building.

"I am sure I speak for many in Inverclyde who are looking forward to the return of the splendid cruise ships to Greenock and this Royal visit was a wonderful way to get ready for another bumper season."

HRH had earlier enjoyed a special luncheon reception on the MV Hebridean Princess, which was docked at the nearby port and is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

After leaving the MV Hebridean Princess, The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, walked along the waterfront before receiving a tour of the pontoon which was created to berth visiting cruise liners.

During her visit, The Princess Royal also met staff from the port operator Peel Ports Clydeport, volunteers with the Inverclyde Tourist Group, members of the board of the George Wyllie Trust and staff from Scotts Greenock restaurant which is based in the terminal building.

The tourist group, which received a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2013, has an army of volunteers who greet passengers arriving off cruise ships and it offers tours and information on the best way to discover Inverclyde and beyond.

Cecile Fleming, chair of ITG, said: "The Princess was very nice and pleasant. She asked what we do and why we do it and asked if we produced our own leaflets.

"I told her that we have a wonderful view when the weather is nice and she laughed and said she had been here several times and had enjoyed the view."

Tony McGoldrick, group vice-chair, added: "I think she is lovely and is a very valuable member of the Royal Family, she is very easy to talk to."

Fellow member Lorna McKinlay said: "The Princess was very approachable and interested in what we had to say. She had obviously done her homework and seemed to know a lot about the group. I felt quite relaxed talking to her and Sir Tim."

The Princess Royal also enjoyed a sneak preview of the Wyllieum museum, dedicated to the late artist George Wyllie, which will open within the terminal building at the end of April.

After the Provost gave a short speech thanking The Princess Royal for her visit she unveiled a commemorative plaque.

School pupils Gabriel Quigg and Keira Dowds, captain and vice-captain from St Mary's Primary, presented her with a gift of a James Watt tartan rosette and scarf and a posy of flowers.

Keira, 11, told the Tele: "She asked if we knew anything about James Watt and I said that I knew a bit about him. I was quite excited to get to meet a member of the Royal family."

Gabriel, also 11, added: "She was really nice. It made me feel good that I represented my school."

Jim McSporran, port director at Peel Ports Clydeport, said: "It was a real honour to welcome the Princess Royal to Greenock and to showcase some of our facilities, as well as share with her our ambitious plans for the future at the port.

"It's been a really special day, and vessels don't get much more impressive than the MV Hebridean Princess, so it was great to mark the 60th anniversary of the ship with such an event.

"We're expecting another strong year for cruise numbers, building on last year's record numbers, as we continue to look to grow tourist numbers to the terminal in the years ahead."