THE iconic Waverley has been awarded a prestigious title ahead of a busy 2024 season.

She has been named National Flagship of the Year by National Historic Ships UK.

Waverley’s programme has been extended this season, with plans in place for her to visit a record-beating 70 ports and piers.

Throughout the season, the vessel will fly a special Flagship Pennant to denote her status – as well as receiving an engraved brass plaque.

National Historic Ships UK has awarded the status annually since 2009 in an effort to spotlight boats on the National Register of Historic Vessels.

Sir Timothy Lawrence, patron of Paddle Streamer Waverley, said: “I am delighted that Waverley has been awarded the title of National Flagship 2024.

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“This reflects not only the very positive impression she has created around the UK in recent years but also the economic benefit she generates wherever she goes.

“My congratulations to the Waverley team for this well-deserved award.”

Waverley’s busy 2024 programme gets underway on May 17 with a weekend of Clyde Coast sailings.

She will set course for Oban and the Inner Hebrides later next month, before heading south in June.

The paddle steamer is also due to return to the South West and River Dear in late August, where she will exchange whistles with Kingswear Castle.

This will mark the first time the UK’s last remaining operational paddle steamers have met in over a decade.

Waverley contributed a total of £11.6million to the UK economy during her busy 2023 season – including £6million in Scotland.

This represented a 107 per cent increase on her 2015 figures.