Unique Ercol sofa featuring Waverley pattern to be raffled to raise funds for paddle steamer

An iconic Ercol settee has been reupholstered in a Waverley print fabric to help raise funds for the paddle steamer.

Designer and upholsterer Sarah Jane Bustin used her signature pattern, featuring illustrations by late Bute artist Lyn Bulloch, to create the unique piece to be raffled this summer.

The relatively rare Ercol 312 sofa, highly-coveted by collectors, had been sitting in storage after being offered to Bustin by a customer.

She decided to put it to good use and help to fundraise to keep the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer going.

© Gordon Russell

Growing up on Isle of Bute, the Waverley coming into Rothesay harbour and sailing past the Ardbeg shore where she lived was part of her childhood.

Bulloch captured Waverley in full steam in his original ink sketch, with touches of red felt tip on the funnels and flag.

Originally appearing as a Christmas card, the drawing lent itself beautifully to a pattern repeat on a never-ending sea and sky and so the Waverley design, the first in The Bulloch Collection, was born.

© Gordon Russell

The creation of the Bulloch Collection coincided with Waverley requiring new boilers and the launch of the Boiler Re-fit appeal.

As well as donating the settee, Bustin decided to donate 10% from sales of the Waverley home accessories range to the appeal to help ensure its legacy lives on.

The piece will take centre stage in Waverley’s summer raffle which kicked off at the start of the sailing season and is drawn at the end in October.

Tickets for the raffle will be available on board and, for those unable to join Waverley on one of her trips, via the Waverley Excursions website. 

© Gordon Russell

Paul Semple, General Manager Waverley Excursions Ltd comments: “I’m delighted that Sarah Jane Hemsley Upholstery has been so creative in continuing to support Waverley.

“The Ercol Settee has been beautifully restored in the Waverley fabric from the Bulloch Collection and looked fantastic when it was delivered to the ship.

“Sarah Jane has been a fantastic supporter of Waverley as we have received regular donations thanks to sales of the Waverley fabric.

“The settee is first prize in our 2021 Grand Draw. The draw forms part of our ongoing fundraising which is required to ensure we can meet the cost of maintaining and operating the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer.”