Scotland's favourite day trip

Published on Monday 20 October 2003 01:00

THEY said it would never happen. The Royal Yacht Britannia, that grand old lady of the sea, becoming a floating museum in the port of Leith seemed as unlikely as the docks hosting the star-studded MTV Awards.

But yesterday the 50-year-old vessel that has sailed more than a million miles on almost 1,000 Royal visits notched up another milestone by celebrating five years in Edinburgh, as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland.

In contrast to the fanfare which greeted Britannia’s arrival in 1998, it was a relatively quiet event on the ship which is docked adjacent to the Ocean Terminal shopping centre.

But for Bob Downie, Britannia’s director, there is quiet satisfaction at a lustrum which has seen 1.6 million visitors - 60 per cent higher than expected - and a clutch of awards.

Earlier this year, Britannia won second prize, behind the London Eye, in a prestigious award for the best visitor attraction in the UK, while independent customer research has confirmed the yacht as Scotland’s leading visitor-friendly attraction. Employing 80 staff and with a turnover approaching 4 million, it is gaining a reputation for premier UK corporate events, with bookings at a record high this year.

"We put the customer at the heart of everything we do," Mr Downie said. "We are delighted at how successful Britannia has been as a visitor attraction and unique corporate event venue where our standard of cuisine for up to 100 people is comparable with the best restaurants. Being voted Best UK Attraction 2003 runner-up was fantastic news."

For Mr Downie, and those who campaigned hard to bring Britannia to Leith, the awards are confirmation that it was the right decision.

In 1997, Edinburgh vied with Manchester, Portsmouth and London for the right to take the decommissioned yacht. In the end the argument that a vessel which was built at John Brown’s shipyard in Clydebank should retire in Scotland, and become a key piece in the regeneration of the docks, won over. Britannia is now run as a charitable trust and all profits go towards the ship’s long-term maintenance.

Since then, curious visitors have flocked to see where the Royal family slept, dined and entertained.

Britannia was the venue for Charles and Diana’s honeymoon and Princess Anne’s 21st birthday party. And it carried Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong, when Britain handed over power in 1997.

Prince Philip has said Britannia is special for a variety of reasons. "Almost every previous sovereign has been responsible for building a church, a castle, a palace or just a house. The only comparable structure in the present reign is Britannia."

Mr Downie said the magic still comes from within the ship. "It has so much history. No matter how you feel in the morning, it is still good to see the most famous ship in the world continuing to fulfil such a special role, after 44 years of active royal service, in Leith."

There are nine decks on the yacht and only five are open to the public as yet. Mr Downie said there are plans to open more, although not in the immediate future.

Mr Downie is adamant Britannia will still be here after another 50 years. Unlike many other tourist attractions, Britannia does not receive any public sector money or support.

"The ship is alive, it is in the water and will be subject to wear and tear but we have 12 full-time maintenance employees.

"She is subject to an annual inspection by naval architects and these entirely independent surveys keep us informed of any problems.

"We have to keep reinventing ourselves."