Here is my account of that memorable cruise: 

Sunday the 31^st of August saw the ‘Final’, as put in hand quotations by a Mr McCorrie, sailing in the Calmac Fleet of the MV Pioneer. Supposedly ending her 29-year career with the company, she left Gourock all dressed shortly after the MV Juno arrived and departed for a regular crossing to Dunoon. Pioneer had been working this service earlier on, maintaining one of her adopted names ‘old faithful’ till the end. With passengers from far and wide and with an even wider respect for the vessel, Pioneer gave three long blasts on her horn as a salute to the people of Gourock who had turned out in masses. The fine weather on a perfect day helped to fill her decks even more for the gentle cruise planned for rounding Bute and back to Gourock. An announcement over the tannoy invited all onboard into her main Saloon for a talk introduced by Calmac public affairs manager Hugh McLennan who commended the ship for her years of service. He then, joined by her current Captain Smith, presented the honouree Calmac historian Ian McCorrie who gave a emotional yet humours history of the vessel. He then announced that he would be signing copies of a complimentary book dedicated to the ship in the purser’s office, I tell you I was almost fist in line! Passengers and crew then piles out onto the decks for a view of the passing towns along the Lower Clyde coast including another three blasts for Largs. Some headed inside for food at this point where some excellent Calmac cuisine was being served (well as much as you can do in her small grill!). Others preferred to hang on as long as possible out side (like myself!) to enjoy the passing Clyde views and magnificent hills of Arran. Some strolled the car deck remembering the days of the Clyde cruising aboard the ‘galloping’ Glen Sannox and other fine vessels – Pioneer being one of the last to do so. I was one of a lucky few that were invited onto the bridge as we passed the southern tip of Bute. Captain smith and another kind crewmember kindly showed the controls and then let us wander about (so long as we didn’t touch anything that would alter our coarse!). I took the chance to contemplate her life while standing on the port bridge wing with the brisk air blowing her flag proudly on her bow. Someone mentioned the PS Waverly might be visible near Lochranza on the north tip of Arran. I grabbed my binoculars and scanned the horizon and spotted her in the distance at full speed heading for the named pier. After lingering for a bit longer we were asked o leave as the half way point of Tighnabruaich has arrived and we were due to stop and dock. A regular crewmember from Lochranza had joined an old-time and favourite at this once much used and picturesque pier to help the Pioneers crew unload the passenger gangway for a few (well a few hundred) photos. As she was due to leave at 18:00 and was running a little late, people rushed down and onto the shoreline to get that ‘last’ picture of her there. Some poured into local gardens and most of the hamlet turned out to see her off – there only other caller now is the veteran paddler ‘Waverly’. A quick blast on the horn let us know Pioneer wished to say her farewells too. With a gentle push she left the remote pier and headed up the Kyles of Bute. Rounding the narrows with ease and in one spectacular move, she edged her way through the navigation markers and came in sight of another fleet mate, the Loch Fyne. Not the first she had seen on this trip but the closest passed. As we neared her, the Loch Fyne gave a dramatic bow door down and Pioneer thanked her for this with a blast for her and three for the pier. A crewmember of the Loch class vessel ran up to the bridge and tooted the horn in reply with a few waves exchanged. Rounding the top of Bute memories were shared of her career and past and contemplations were given towards her future. Arriving in the Bay of Rothesay another three-blast salute was given. I suppose expectedly, the PS Waverly was also there too, apparently running late on her schedule whichever way you want to put it was a magnificent sight as they ran parallel to each other out of the bay. Pioneer gave a blast with a reply of a toot from Waverly so Pioneer gave a two-blast reply with a two toot back from the paddler. The good hearted crew of the Pioneer gave a cheerful Blast – Blast Blast – Blast – Blast with the reply from the Waverly Toot Tooooooopfht and she ran out of steam! – Im glad I got that on Video! The Waverly then departed for Largs and we headed for ‘home’ to Gourock. The buzz seemed to die down at this point and I made my way down to the main saloon to join a few other members from Clyde Shipping to share a few moments of the day. After a quick drink I decided to head for the open car deck as the sun started to cast its golden light onto the Clyde. After standing again under her main gantry feeling the rhythm of her purring engines – I realised I hadn’t seen them! Thankfully and very gratefully a crewmember offered to take me down and show me around her perfect Blackstone’s. After nearly 30 years of service and the same time help from her fantastic and loving crew they are running as new – I wasn’t going to mention the wooden chocks holding her rams for the stabilisers in place – but that adds to her character! It was nearly impossible to hear what the 2^nd engineer was talking about but I think just the experience of being there was worth it – many thanks again! I returned to the car deck to find a unusual mass of people present, I found a few faces and found there was a photo to be taken of all the passengers. Ian McCorrie, Captain Smith and Hugh McLennan headed the picture in memory of the trip – later to be put in a special Calmac publication. Before we knew it (and far too soon to me) we had arrived back at Gourock and ended her ‘final’ cruise (and official sailing – or was it?!). We were kindly given an ‘excursion pack’ from the company as we disembarked which included a few custom gifts from Calmac. Most people left and some rushed for the last seasonal sailing of the Waverly (who was dashing behind us to) from Customs House Quay. I decided to stay and watch her move to the ‘wires’ for the last time. For her famously loud engines, she seemed to slip almost un-noticed and elegantly to her sleeping area for a deserved rest. I said my farewells to her kind and helpful crew and finally to the fine host herself before dragging myself off back south. However some good news was announced onboard. I suppose not un-expectedly, her expired class certificate was extended for at lease 3 months to cover for her controversial replacement – the Courisk who has suffered a serious breakdown and had to be towed to the Clyde from Mallaig. Hopefully after this stint she will return to the Clyde to cover for the Streakers overhauls due to take place as there is not clearly a current vessel available. Im not a big fan of her being on the Clyde, ive always thought of her as a western Isles ship, but I suppose as she’s employed anywhere it’s a good point. So – good luck to a fine vessel and long may her career continue with those Lions on her trademark funnels…