Britannia visitors reach 1.6m

MORE than 1.6 million people have toured the Royal Yacht Britannia since she arrived in the Port of Leith, figures released today reveal.

Visitor numbers 60 per cent higher than anticipated were announced by officials as the attraction celebrated five years in business.

The Capital had fought off strong competition from around the UK - including Manchester, Portsmouth and London - to become home to what had been the floating palace of the Royal Family.

It appears to have paid off as Britannia has gone on to become one of Scotland’s leading tourist attractions, with a five-star rating from VisitScotland and a runner-up prize in a nationwide contest to honour the best attraction in the UK. Britannia chiefs today revealed independent research had found the attraction provided 100 per cent customer satisfaction.

They also said income from corporate events, which have been staged on Britannia ever since it opened, had this year reached record levels.

Since then Britannia, which was launched 50 years ago, has moved from its original location beside Chancelot Mill to beside the Ocean Terminal shopping and leisure complex, which opened two years ago at the Western Harbour.

The MTV Europe Music Awards will be staged next month in the shadow of both Ocean Terminal and Britannia.

Initially refurbished at a cost of £2.5 million, Britannia underwent a further revamp to coincide with its move around the docks, which saw the opening up of the laundry area, and the cramped living and sleeping areas to the public for the first time.

The attraction currently employs 80 staff and has a turnover of more than £4m.

Britannia’s director, Bob Downie, said: "We’re delighted at how successful Britannia has been as a visitor attraction and unique corporate event venue. Being voted Best UK Attraction runner-up was also fantastic news.

"We put the customer at the heart of everything we do.

"Britannia has so much history. It’s good to see the most famous ship in the world continuing to fulfil such a special role in Leith.

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

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

Britannia was built by John Brown’s Shipyard in Clydebank, designed by director of naval construction Sir Victor Shepheard and launched by the Queen on April 16, 1953.

Over 44 years she transported members of the Royal Family on 968 official voyages, travelling through the remotest regions of the South Seas to the icy seas of Antarctica.

Britannia was powered by two geared steam turbines, developing a total of 12,000 horse power, and had a maximum speed of 22.5 knots. Her length is 125.65m or 412ft 3in and her gross tonnage, 5862 tons.

For state visits, five tonnes of luggage, from the Queen’s jewels to bottles of Malvern water for her tea, would be loaded on board the ship.