DEDICATED volunteers and staff have celebrated an important milestone in the project to restore the Maid of the Loch to her former glory. 

The project’s latest achievement saw the final bolt fixed to the brand new slipway structure last Tuesday.

The plans, which volunteers assisted with for more than 40 weeks, will allow the ship to be slipped for essential maintenance and hull repair this summer - and volunteers hope it will be a visual treat for all visitors. 

The Ship on the Slip programme aims to give a whole new summer experience at the Maid, celebrating her fascinating history and the promise of things to come for the unique paddle steamer as she undergoes her hull restoration.

It comes after The Loch Lomond Steamship Company announced it decided to spend the rest of 2021 concentrating on making sure the historic ship is able to stay afloat for another 60 years or more – and on working towards their long-term goal of getting the vessel sailing on Loch Lomond once again.

It’s hoped the new slipway structure will prevent any repeat of the unfortunate and high-profile setback suffered in January 2019 when, with the public and the media watching on, the carriage on which the ship sat as she was being winched out of the loch for refurbishment failed, sending the Maid sliding back into the water.

Last week’s ceremony saw the dedicated volunteers involved in building the new carriage surprised with a commemorative plaque for the slipway. 

Jim Mitchell, project manager and engineering director of Maid of the Loch, said: “We are delighted to achieve this milestone on the road to the full restoration of the ship. 

“Without the slipway, the project could not succeed. Our thanks to the Architectural Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and The Wolfson Foundation whose generous support on an unusual project was far-sighted, saving a unique piece of industrial heritage and probably the ship itself.”

Jim Logan, volunteer site supervisor, added: “We are very proud to have been involved in this unique project and look forward to seeing the ship out for her vital repairs. 

“I think a few drams are in order!”