12.01.2026 – TS Queen Mary's Timber Triumph Our much valued volunteers are the backbone of our restoration project. Today we are celebrating an incredible effort by our team - led by Bruce Goutcher and Douglas Bell - who tackled the monumental task of sorting and moving some 40 tonnes of Burmese teak. When we decided to relocate TS Queen Mary to Glasgow Science Centre, in December 2024, we faced a logistical challenge: safely moving timber from our previous berth to secure storage. A clamshell truck spent two days collecting every piece. Then came the real work - our volunteers meticulously sorted through all 40 tonnes of the teak, carefully stacking quality lengths for re-use in the restoration, setting aside some timber for upcycling as souvenirs, and disposing of the remaining unusable, rotten wood. This was back-breaking, months-long effort and we are indebted to the team of volunteers for undertaking the task. We are always looking for more volunteers. If you have a few hours to spare and want to be part of preserving Scotland's maritime heritage, we would love to hear from you. Volunteer opportunities range from hands-on restoration work aboard the ship, to administrative support in the office. We won’t ask you to move any timber …! Get in touch to find out how you can help by emailing [email protected]. See the results in today's photos - nearly 40 tonnes of teak, all neatly stored and ready for the next phase of restoration. FoTSQM @followers
2026.01.09 - Alexander Group Support TS Queen Mary We are delighted to announce that A. Alexander & Son Electrical Ltd has kindly donated and installed comprehensive new security floodlighting aboard TS Queen Mary. This contribution represents a substantial financial saving to the Charity and will greatly enhance the safety and security of the vessel, our volunteers and visitors. The quality of the installation reflects A. Alexander & Son Electrical Ltd's commitment to excellence and their genuine support of our project. Partnerships like this are vital to the continued restoration and preservation of TS Queen Mary, and we extend our sincere thanks to Stewart Alexander and the entire Alexander Group team for their generosity. FOTSQM @followers #maritime #heritage #charity #partnership #scotland #tsqueenmary
31.12.25 - All the Best for 2026! The Board of FoTSQM wishes to express its gratitude to those who have supported the restoration campaign for TS Queen Mary during 2025 - not least our Royal Patron, the Princess Royal, who made a return visit to the ship in April. On behalf of everyone involved in the charity, may we extend our best wishes to you all for a prosperous, happy, and fulfilling year to come! Friends of TS Queen Mary
15.08.2025 - Royal Patron Celebrates a Special Birthday Friends of TS Queen Mary extend our congratulations and best wishes to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal on the occasion of her 75th birthday. As our Royal Patron, we are especially appreciative of Her Royal Highness's invaluable support, advocacy, and steadfast commitment to the TS Queen Mary restoration campaign. FoTSQM
19.07.2025 - Dales Marine Special Event We were delighted to be invited by Dales Marine Services to their special hospitality afternoon at the Tall Ships Aberdeen event. Earlier this year Dales Marine did a wonderful job preparing and repainting TS Queen Mary’s starboard side, in preparation for our visit from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. We are looking forward to TS Queen Mary’s next trip “doon the watter” to complete the necessary structural steelwork repairs. FoTSQM
14.07.2025 - Summer Maintenance Update Our volunteers have been taking advantage of the recent hot weather and have been advancing the project to coat TS Queen Mary's new steel decks. The team, lead by Captain Mark Yeomans, have made extremely good progress on both the boat deck and promenade decks. In today's photos you can see the results of the hard work, and the incredible visual difference the final top coat makes to the plates (provided by Tata Steel UK). As always we are very grateful to AkzoNobel for donating the new paint coatings and to Aggreko for the on-shore power solution. If you would like to get involved with the painting work (or with one of the other jobs on board) please send an email to: [email protected] FoTSQM @followers #britishroyalfamily #engineering #maritime #photooftheday
15.06.2025 - Congratulations to John Watson CBE! We are delighted that one of our most generous donors, Glasgow businessman John Watson, has been recognised in the King’s birthday honours by being awarded a CBE for his services to education and charity. John has long been a supporter of the restoration of TS Queen Mary and his Watson Foundation has made several significant grants to the project, including lifeline funding during the Covid period. We are delighted that his philanthropy is being acknowledged in this way and we extend our sincere congratulations on this richly deserved reward. FOTSQM
09.06.2025 - The Princess Royal's Charities Forum We were honoured to participate in The Princess Royal's Charities Forum, hosted at Buckingham Palace in advance of Her Royal Highness' 75th birthday. The forum facilitated discussions on crucial topics, including challenges facing the charitable sector, maintaining public trust, and navigating the opportunities and risks of new technologies. Her Royal Highness' keynote address and a drinks reception brought an inspirational day to a close. Further details regarding the event can be found at: https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2025-06-06/the-princess-royal-hosts-charities-forum-at-buckingham-palace FOTSQM
