THE restoration of a historic vessel is gaining steam thanks to almost £1 million of Scottish Government funding.
Enthusiasts began efforts to get the Maid of the Loch paddle steamer sailing again more than 20 years ago. Estimates suggest the passenger vessel, which is the last known example of its kind in the UK, could attract up to 95,000 visitors a year once the £5.5 million project is complete.
Now the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) is to funnel £950,000 into the regeneration of the Loch Lomond-based boat.
READ MORE: Martina Navratilova furious as BBC pays John McEnroe 10 times more
John Beveridge, chair of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, said: “This is major milestone moment.
“It is absolutely wonderful news and a complete game changer for the Maid’s full restoration. This takes us significantly closer to reaching our £5.5m target, but we still have a way to go.”
Built by Glasgow shipbuilders A&J Inglis of Pointhouse, the “Up and Doon” ship was built and launched at the shipyard before being taken to bits and reassembled after transportation to Loch Lomond in 1953. Post-renovation plans include offering the vessel for cruises and as an events and function venue.
Lord Smith of Kelvin, patron of the Maid of the Loch, said bringing the boat back into service after a near 40-year absence will showcase “an engineering feat” and create a “stunning tourist attraction” at the world famous site. He said: “The Maid is an enterprising project that retains, enhances and celebrates Scottish shipbuilding and our engineering skills.”
Jonathon McColl, leader of West Dunbartonshire Council, said he had “watched the deterioration and then refurbishment of the Maid from childhood, adding: “It’s particularly exciting to me to think that we’re so close to seeing her sail once again.”
He went on: “This is a significant regeneration, job creation and tourism project that will deliver superb training opportunities, 30 full time jobs and increased footfall into Balloch – a sparkling jewel in the crown for West Dunbartonshire’s visitors and tourism strategy.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here