A GRANT of nearly £1million from the Scottish Government has revived efforts to get Loch Lomond’s paddle steamer Maid of the Loch back in action.
The package from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund awarded earlier this year has hung in the balance following the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) decision to reject the Maid’s £3.7m funding bid.
The announcement yesterday that the £950,000 capital grant from the Scottish Government has been confirmed means the Maid can look to 2019 with a renewed focus, with work already confirmed including repairs to the ship’s hull, creation of an education facility on board, refurbishment of the main function suite, and an overhaul of the engines to enable them to turn with steam.
John Beveridge, chairman of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, said: “This is a huge boost to the project and will transform the Maid’s attraction to visitors. After the shock of HLF rejecting our bid, this gives the charity real hope to continue with our efforts.
“Our next step will see the ship brought out of the water in January onto the Balloch Steam Slipway to allow us to carry out an essential ultrasound test of the entire hull to check its condition.
“Any repairs will then be carried out, including replacing the ship’s port side belting and the wooden fender that protects the hull at the pier.
“Slipping the ship will be a must-see spectacle and a major undertaking for us all. It will be the first time any work has been done on the hull since 1981, so there is great excitement among our volunteers who can’t wait to help”.
The biggest transformation to the vessel next year will allow the refurbished engines to be powered by steam.
The company says work will include having the engines professionally overhauled, new pipework installed and a mobile boiler plant installed on the pier – producing enough steam to allow the paddles to turn.
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