Maid for Dunbartonshire

The Loch Lomond Steamship Company is the charity which owns the Maid of the Loch, Loch Lomond’s Paddle Steamer. Founded in 1996, it has turned a derelict ship into a 2 star visitor attraction, welcoming around 15,000 people each year.

The charity has raised - and re-invested - over £2m in the Maid and infrastructure, the most notable achievement so far being the rebuild of the Category A listed Balloch Steam Slipway in 2006 and opened by HRH The Princess Royal. Now its even bigger challenge is to return the Maid to steam operation again. A £5.5m project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund which has promised £3.8m, is well underway with LLSC needing to raised the other £1.7m. The charity is optimistic that work on the ship’s refit can start next year, creating up to 25 new jobs and training places, bringing inward investment, and giving visitors a totally unique historic steamship experience in seeing the beauty of the bonnie banks.

This year the Maid will have extended opening times, being open every day until mid October. The new caterer is opening a restaurant on board from Thursday to Sunday.
2. Also new for this year are fully qualified volunteer Tour Guides who will welcome visitors aboard and provide an informed guided tour of the ship including information about Loch Lomond (see photo).
3. The charity’s slipway at Balloch has been busy, firstly with taking the National Park’s Bata Greine out of the water for underwater work, then Sweeney’s Cruises’ Silver Dolphin for its annual inspection. The slipway is available to take any craft on the loch out of the water.
Information on the Maid is on the website www.maidoftheloch.org or by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 01389 711865

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Chamber admin are responsible for the day to day running of the chamber, dealing with enquiries, membership as well as organising events and meetings.