Before superyachts, private jets and billionaire spaceflight, there was the steam yacht: the ultimate expression of wealth, freedom and technological ambition. But these remarkable vessels were far more than floating country houses for millionaires. They were often among the most advanced ships afloat, combining extraordinary luxury with cutting-edge engines, elegant hulls, global range and some of the finest craftsmanship of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In this episode of the Mariner’s Mirror Podcast, Sam Willis talks to shipbuilder and historian Ron Neish about the extraordinary steam yachts built at Leith, their eccentric owners, their voyages around the world and the skills of the men who designed and built them. Recorded high above Leith Docks in the Port of Leith Distillery, overlooking the waters and shipyards that shaped the story of these remarkable vessels.
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