Irn-Bru has praised a married couple's incredible canal boat decked out in tribute to Scotland's favourite fizzy drink.
Scottish owners Claire Hasting, 30, and Michael Mearns, 38, bought the Gerda of Glasgow two years ago and transformed it into a unique holiday getaway moored in Glasgow's Speirs Wharf.
The quirky two-bedroom Dutch barge has a sign that looks exactly like the fizzy drink’s iconic blue and orange logo - and guests love it.
It has now got the seal of approval from Irn-Bru, who paid tribute to the couple's "perfect" canal boat.
The Scottish fizzy drink brand tweeted a photo of the boat and joked: “Canal boaters: The perfect canal boat theme doesn't exis…”
"Thank you to the couple who sent this in - we think it is a very lovely tribut(ary)," it added.
Claire, originally from Dumfries, told the Daily Record: “People love it. It’s had five-star reviews across the board.
“It’s in the perfect location, the canal is so peaceful and it’s ideal for walking into town. It’s better equipped than our own flat”.
The musician said she was overjoyed the boat got the recognition it deserved from Irn-Bru and said: “We were delighted. We were wondering why we hadn’t sent it to them before.”
The boat is named Gerda of Glasgow in a nod to Irn-Bru's old advertising slogan 'Made in Scotland from girders' - a reference to steel and the rusty colour of the drink.
It was built in Liverpool in 2017 and transported across the sea then along the Forth and Clyde canal to the current mooring at Speirs Wharf.
Michael said: “I got in touch with Irn-Bru to ask if they could sort me out with one of the old posters 'made in Scotland from Girders' because thats why the guy who built it named it Gerda.
"It's made of steel and he loved those adverts.”
The boat, which welcomed back visitors when lockdown eased in March, has been a lifeline for the people wishing to enjoy staycation close to home.
He said: “We've had a steady stream of visitors - mainly from Scotland, which has been fantastic.”
The boat boasts a king-size bed, a twin room and a cosy kitchen and living space – all a stone’s throw from the city centre.
From the maritime portholes to a wood-burning stove, you'll have everything you need for a truly unique break.
To book a stay at the the Gerda of Glasgow, visit the website
