Salen Pier on Isle of Mull gets visit from the Waverley after renovation project

It was a day decades in the making.

On Tuesday, hundreds gathered at Salen Pier on the Isle of Mull to welcome the Waverley paddle steamer to dock.

The occasion marked the first passenger ferry to stop there since 1964 – when the pier was the island’s main port.

For owner Peter Stanhope, the day marked a major milestone in a nearly 20-year-long renovation project.

Peter Stanhope boarding the ferry at Salen Pier STV News

“It’s been a labour of love,” he told STV News. “We tried for some grants but they weren’t forthcoming, so it’s literally been restored by blood, sweat and tears from friends and family.”

Pupils from Salen Primary School led the warm welcome as the paddle steamer arrived.

“We’ve never had a welcome like that,” the commentator announced on board.

The children of Salen Primary School celebrating The Waverley's arrival — The children of Salen Primary School celebrating The Waverley’s arrival Barry Whenman

Mairi Maclean, headteacher of Salen Primary School said: “The children really enjoyed it, they were really excited about seeing the Waverley coming into the pier. They were cheering and just really looking forward to seeing a paddle steamer.”

The pier was bought by Peter in 2007 when it had fallen into a significant state of disrepair.

Salen Pier archive from 1934 Peter Stanhope

Between 1905 and 1955 the MacBrayne MV Lochinvar served the as the island’s principal connection to the mainland, stopping off at Salen before heading to the island’s capital of Tobermory.

The pier had been the island’s main port contact to Oban on the mainland, but when the car-carrying ferries replaced the Lochinvar the pier was abandoned and suffered decay.

Today, Peter runs holiday homes from the pier’s former waiting rooms – the only holiday rentals to sit on a pier in the UK.

The pier when Peter bought in 2007 Peter Stanhope

He hopes the Waverley visit marks a new chapter in the forgotten landmark’s history – and can be the first of many visits to come.

Paul Semple, the general manger of Waverley Excursions, said: “The first visit to Salen has been a great success. We’ll look to build it into the future programme.

“Occasionally we do find piers that the Waverley has not visited and we’ll try and take the ship to the piers because we know the reaction and the support the ship will get when she visits somewhere new.”