Plans to restore Balloch’s iconic Maid of the Loch have been boosted, after a substantial grant from the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS).
The society’s worldwide membership once more supported the restoration of the historic Paddle Steamer Maid, which has been undergoing full renovation works to get her sailing once again.
Along with another recent award from Barr Environmental Ltd through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund, combined funding will allow completion of work to the hull - making her watertight for many years to come.
And the substantial awards have been greatly appreciated by the Loch Lomond Steamship Company (LLSC) who are working to restore the Maid to her former glory.
Built on the Clyde by A & J Inglis, the Maid served day trippers on Loch Lomond for decades.
Mothballed in 1981 as passenger numbers dwindled, the Maid fell into disrepair and cut a sorry sight in Loch Lomond near Balloch as she was targeted by vandals.
The Loch Lomond Steamship Company have since worked for more than 25 years on a £5.5million project to restore her to her former glory - and get the Maid sailing on Loch Lomond once again.
The LLSC will also contribute a vital in-kind element to the funding package by providing free labour from a tireless group of volunteers who work in the many and varied roles required to ensure the ship will sail again.
To top it all off, at its AGM, the Scottish Branch of PSPS made payment for the redesign and production of a new bow crest which will be installed once the new hull coating has been applied.
Highly regarded wood carver Ruth Davies manufactured the new crest using old images of the original and Jim McGregor, the ship’s painter, did the paintwork.
Jim Mitchell, heritage engineer at the Maid, was keen to acknowledge the continuing support of PSPS.
He said: “It is very heartening to know that fellow enthusiasts have faith in our crew’s ability here at the Maid to take the ship another step along the road of complete restoration.
He added: “We won’t disappoint them.”
Gordon Wilson, Vice Chairman of PSPS commented: “Here at PSPS we are very pleased to see the Maid’s journey back to sailing being undertaken by such
an enthusiastic group of folk – all volunteers – which makes it all the more remarkable. We are keen to support that endeavour. Having the hull in good condition once more will be a major milestone in her restoration.”
