The newest passenger cruise boat on the Union Canal has been officially named by West Lothian Provost Tom Kerr.
A ceremony was held at Manse Road Basin, Linlithgow, recently when the boat was officially christened St Michael.
Linlithgow Union Canal Society (LUCS) who commissioned the building of the new boat hosted a number of prominent guests from Visit Scotland, Transport Scotland, and Scottish Canals to mark the occasion.
Linlithgow Reed Band provided a musical accompaniment to the celebrations on the quayside, and Linlithgow Gala Queen Emilie Cunningham cut the red ribbon to commence a flotilla of the society’s fleet of vessels.
Named after the Patron Saint of Linlithgow, at 55 feet in length, 10 feet wide, and weighing a hefty 24 tonnes, St Michael is the largest boat in the LUCS fleet, and can carry 40 passengers and crew in spacious comfort compared to the older boats operating on the Union Canal.
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Costing over £185,000 she was built for the society locally in Falkirk, with the benefit of a 50 per cent grant from West Lothian Leader, and since being delivered to Linlithgow, the society’s members, all volunteers, have been preparing her to go into service in the 2019 season.
Stuart Rennie, chairman of the society, said the event was he result of lots of hard work.
He added: “This really is a wonderful realization for the society and our volunteers who have worked tirelessly towards this result.
“It is good to see the culmination of many years of planning and effort, and the results of their labors are now evident for all to see.
“Our membership can all be justifiably proud of their achievement. The introduction of St Michael will enable LUCS to continue the work of the society, in promoting the use of Scotland’s canal network, as well as providing educational trips for schools, private charters and hires as well as our popular trips and cruises for the local community, tourists and visitors alike.”
