A SCOTTISH church has bought a 60-foot-long canal boat.
Polwarth Parish Church in Edinburgh has taken over full ownership of "All Aboard" as part of a community outreach service.
Formally part-owned by the church and a social innovation charity called People Know How, the 60-ft long vessel began operating on the Union Canal in September, 2021.
But it has lain unused since November last year after the charity ceased operating and eventually closed down.
Following the legal transfer of ownership, Polwarth Parish Church, with the support of Edinburgh and West Lothian Presbytery and funding from the TOR Christian Foundation, has now taken over.
A co-ordinator will soon be in place, supported by a team of volunteers, to provide a community outreach service to groups on the Union Canal, which connects Edinburgh and Falkirk, free of charge.
The congregation is holding a coffee morning at the church on Saturday, August 23 between 10-12pm to raise funds.
Dawn Purves, a member of the All Aboard management board, said: "It is with great joy and delight that Polwarth Parish Church has taken full-ownership of the canal boat and we're desperate to use it again for mission outreach and to bring the wider community together.
"It is very popular with groups and in the seven months prior to November last year, nearly 1000 people used the boat."
She added: "We are looking forward to once again welcoming a wide variety of groups that support the wellbeing, wholeness and development of others and using it as a congregation to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to people of all ages.
"The boat is a key part of the church's mission outreach, used to welcome the stranger as Jesus commanded, and activities will take place whether it is sailing on the canal or moored at the pontoon.
"We will be encouraging groups from nearby churches to use the boat for Sunday School, Bible studies and prayer sessions."
Purves went on: “Plans are evolving and we hope very soon to have access for all users with the purchase of special stairs that turn into an accessible lift at the bow end.
"The coffee morning this Saturday in the Drennan Hall and gardens will help raise funds for the running of the boat.”
"Visitors will be able to visit the boat, which will not be sailing, and can meet the new mascot, MacBoaty.
"All are warmly welcome to join us to celebrate All Aboard's return to action on the Union Canal."
