Maid of the Loch, Loch Lomond’s Paddle Steamer

Project Description

Maid of the Loch is a UK registered historic vessel, and has been owned since 1996 by a registered charity. In 1996 the ship had been vandalised and in danger of sinking, but the charity’s aim has been to return her to steam operation on Loch Lomond once again. The charity is run totally by volunteers, it has no staff. Since 1996, over £2 million has been raised and reinvested in the ship and infrastructure, and over 80,000 hours put into conserving and improving both. The Maid opened as a 2 Star visitor attraction in 2000, and receives around 15,000-18,000 visitors a year. The neglected Category A-Listed Balloch Steam Slipway was rebuilt, to budget, in 2006 and officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal. It is now a 3 Star attraction. Both ship and slipway are open 7 days a week during summer, with “In Steam” days at the slipway. The Maid has a small tearoom and is also a venue for events and functions. In 2015, the Heritage Lottery Fund supported LLSC’s £5.5 million application to get the Maid sailing again. A £264,000 development phase is nearing successful completion, with marine reports, a 10 year business plan, conservation plan, and others, all being accepted by HLF. What remains is for the charity to raise £1.7 million, and this will release the £3.8 million HLF have promised the project. LLSC recognise Maid of the Loch as a unique vessel in a world famous setting. Their concept is to create a “Loch Lomond Experience” by giving visitors added value to their enjoyment and understanding of the loch; sailing on a unique and historic steamship; creating up to 25 new jobs; offering training opportunities for young people; and providing inward investment in an area of higher than average unemployment. All of these will help to consolidate Scotland as a world class destination. The project is well supported by the local community, with the current Balloch & Haldane Community Action Plan naming the Maid as one of the key projects to have restored. An operational Maid of the Loch will retain as much original heritage as possible, re-creating her original 1950’s appearance and style, while meeting current marine safety standards and passenger comfort. Importantly, she will enhance existing loch transport and link up lochside communities.