Funding boost could help vessel set sail
THE future of a historic paddle steamer has been given a boost with a £950,000 grant award by the Scottish Government.
Loch Lomond’s paddle steamer Maid of the Loch will benefit from the package from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF).
Her future hung in the balance following the disappointing news from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to reject the Maid’s £3.7m funding bid. The announcement from The Scottish Government 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, refurbishing the main function suite, and overhauling the engines to enable them to turn with steam.
John Beveridge, chairman of the Loch Lomond What do you think? If you’ve got a view in this or any other story we’d love to hear from you. letters@ eveningtimes.co.uk or
on Facebook or Twitter
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, 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 ship next year will see the engines turning under steam power. Work will include having the engines professionally overhauled, new pipework installed, and a mobile boiler plant sited on the pier producing enough steam to allow the paddles to turn.
John added: “Everyone who has visited the Maid over the years have said we must get this beautiful ship sailing again. Getting her in steam and with her paddles turning again is the next best thing, and we anticipate great interest next year as people come to watch her majestic engines moving for the first time in 37 years.”