NewsScottish NewsPICTURE SPECIAL: Britannia refurbishment

PICTURE SPECIAL: Britannia refurbishment

THE former Royal Yacht Britannia will reopen tomorrow after essential repairs were carried out.

A member of staff raises the Union Jack on Britannia.

She was moved back to her berth outside Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal after being was moved to a dry dock earlier this month for maintenance.

The ship served the Queen for 44 years and was taken out of service in 1997.

Chief Executive of Britannia Bob Downie polishes Britannia`s bell

Around 2500 litres of paint were used in the restoration work.

A team of workers is putting the final touches to the interior ahead of the reopening. Bob Downie, chief executive of the Royal Yacht Britannia, said: “It is great to have Britannia back at her permanent berth and ready to open to the public again after undertaking an enormous amount of work whilst we were closed.

Cleaning staff member Linda Rae dusts the Queen's living room on Britannia

“The good news is that our insurance surveyors have given Britannia’s hull a very clean bill of health and it should be another 20 years before having to go back into dry dock.

“We have also taken the opportunity to repaint the masts and funnel, as well as many other jobs in the visitor route that could only be done whilst closed to the public.”

Signwriter Paul Adams retouches the bell with red paint

Related Stories