King Edward VII Visits Arran in 1902

On 9^th August 1902 the delayed coronation of King Edward VII and his wife Alexandra took place at Westminster Abbey.  Originally set for 26^th June, the coronation was delayed as the King needed emergency surgery for appendicitis.

On 16^th August 1902 the newly crowned King and Queen undertook a Naval Review at Spithead, Hampshire, aboard the Royal Yacht “Victoria and Albert”.  This was to be the last naval review in which the Royal Navy warships were painted in black, white, yellow and red, and it was the first time in modern history that a review would mark a coronation.

On Sunday 24^th August 1902 the Royal Yacht, ‘Victoria and Albert’ arrived at Ramsey, Isle of Man.  It departed on the morning of Tuesday 26^th August heading for the West of Scotland.  A rumour spread that the Royal Yacht would make a brief stop at Arran.

A large crowd gathered on the beaches of Whiting Bay and Lamlash to watch the Royal Yacht arrive, accompanied by the cruiser “Crescent” and the torpedo destroyer “Gipsy.”  When the Royal Yacht passed on the far side of the Holy Island, disappointment was evident as people thought she was going to making straight for Greenock.

However, when word arrived that the Royal Yacht had anchored in Brodick Bay at noon, the excited crowd rushed to find any kind of transport that would take them quickly to Brodick, whether by horse-drawn carriage, bicycle or by boat.  At Brodick Bay, the Royal Yacht was joined by the torpedo-destroyer “Lively” which had gone onto Greenock to pick up His Majesty’s mail.

Flags flew from the main buildings and along the pier and upon spotting that the Royal Yacht was anchored at Brodick, steamers were quickly adorned with bunting.  Large crowds gathered at the pier and along Brodick Bay to see the Royal Yacht and hopefully catch a glimpse of the King and Queen.  The boat hirers did a roaring trade, as people wanted to get as close as possible to the Royal Yacht.

“His Majesty stood upon the bridge, dressed in yachting clothes, and repeatedly bowed and smiled in response to the cheering crowds and the waving of hats and handkerchiefs.”  From the paddle steamers drifted the sounds of “God Save The King.”

At 4pm a steam launch left the Royal Yacht, carrying the King, Queen, Princess Victoria, and the Portuguese Ambassador, the Marquês de Soveral, a close friend of the King’s.  A couple of smaller boats brought the rest of His Majesty’s guests to the pier.

Patrick Murray, factor to Lady Mary Hamilton, greeted the Royal Party in her absence and conducted them to Brodick Castle where they were served tea and given a tour of the grounds.  A coach took King Edward and a small group to see the deer on the estate and have a closer view of Goatfell.

Upon their return, King Edward and Queen Alexandra got off the coach before reaching the pier, giving them a chance to greet the gathered crowd.  They were both genuinely affected by the spontaneous cheers and affection of the hundreds of people gathered there.

After receiving the news that the Royal Yacht was anchored at Brodick, special evening cruises were quickly arranged, sailing from Ardrossan, and by evening several thousand more people had arrived at Arran, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the Royal family.  Queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria appeared on deck gracefully acknowledging the enthusiastic crowds.

The Royal Yacht stayed in Brodick Bay overnight, but it wasn’t until noon that the Royal Party and their friends appeared, making their way to the jetty at Brodick Castle where they boarded a wagonette which took them to Dougarie, near Blackwaterfoot, to watch the sheep dog trials.  Crowds lined the route, and close to their destination, a four-year-old girl presented King Edward with a bouquet of flowers and heather.  While the Royal party was at Dougarie, the Royal Yacht left Brodick Bay and sailed around the island to Machrie Bay, where the Royal party boarded after their outing. The Royal Yacht remained at Machrie Bay overnight, and on the morning of Friday 29^th August the King enjoyed a stag hunt on the estates of Her Grace the Duchess of Hamilton.  At 2pm the Royal Yacht departed from Arran to continue its tour of the West of Scotland, before taking Queen Alexandra to visit her family in Denmark.