Paddle Steamer enthusiasts show faith in the Maid!

Loch Lomond Steamship Company is delighted to announce receipt of a substantial grant from the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, with its worldwide membership once more supporting the restoration of the historic Paddle Steamer Maid of the Loch on Loch Lomond.

Along with another recent award, this time from Barr Environmental Ltd through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund, combined funding will allow completion of work to the hull making her watertight for many years to come. These substantial awards are very much appreciated by the Company.

LLSC will also contribute a vital in-kind element to the funding package by providing free labour from our amazing group of volunteers who work in the many and varied roles required to ensure the ship will sail again. To top it all off, at its AGM, the Scottish Branch of PSPS made payment for the redesign and production of a new bow crest which will be installed once the new hull coating has been applied.

Ruth Davies, who is a highly regarded wood carver, manufactured the new crest using old images of the original and Jim McGregor, the ship’s painter, did the paintwork.

Jim Mitchell, Heritage Engineer at the Maid, was keen to acknowledge the continuing support of PSPS, “It is very heartening to know that fellow enthusiasts have faith in our crew’s ability here at the Maid to take the ship another step along the road of complete restoration. We won’t disappoint them.”

Gordon Wilson, Vice Chairman of PSPS, “Here at PSPS we are very pleased to see the Maid’s journey back to sailing being undertaken by such an enthusiastic group of folk – all volunteers – which makes it all the more remarkable. We are keen to support that endeavour. Having the hull in good condition once more will be major milestone in the restoration.