The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) have supported the £5.5 million project.

Maid of the Loch carried more than three million passengers before being withdrawn from service in 1981. She has been owned by several companies, but has remained tied up at Balloch since.

By 1992, she had been vandalised, damaged and was in danger of sinking.

The Loch Lomond Steamship Company (LLSC) was given the ship free of charge and has owned her since 1996. With its team of volunteers, the company has always aimed to return the Maid to steamship operation.

After nearly 20 years, it is set to become a reality thanks to the latest funding given by HLF.

John Beveridge, director and founder of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company charity, was ‘over the moon’ with the news.

He told the Advertiser: “All our volunteers, sponsors, and supporters have been wonderful over the years. Now having the support of the HLF, we will transform the Maid from a static venue to an historic icon for West Dunbartonshire and Scotland.

“We can provide training, jobs, and investment.

“Maid of the Loch will make the Bonnie Banks come alive and give visitors an experience of Loch Lomond – and Scotland – they will never forget”.

The charity won HLF funding in 2006 to rebuild the Grade A listed Balloch Steam Slipway; has rebuilt Balloch Pier; created new car parking; and restored the Maid from a vandalised state to an established visitor attraction.

The Advertiser backed the Maid to Sail in 2013, along with sister title the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter, providing monthly updates about progress with the campaign.

Phil Preston, chairman of LLSC, said: “This has been a 20 year cause, during which we have raised and reinvested over £1.9 million and committed over 80,000 hours to restoring the ship.

“With this promise of around £3.8 million from HLF, we now need to do the hard work of raising the other £1.7 million. I guess it’s now full steam ahead.” Colin McLean, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said it would be ‘an enormous challenge’ to restore the Maid to sailing condition, adding: “We wish them well in their endeavours.” This is a Round One Pass, meaning that the charity can prepare all the necessary technical surveys, drawings, and specifications for the ship’s rebuild.

Jackie Baillie, Helensburgh and Lomond’s MSP, said: “This is tremendous news and the grant will help the Maid of the Loch sail once again on Loch Lomond. The board and volunteers have painstakingly restored the Maid and their vision has driven the project forward. We are all grateful to them for their efforts. We are blessed with stunning scenery at Loch Lomond, Scotland’s first National Park, and what better way to see it than from the water, aboard the Maid of the Loch.” Stuart McMillan MSP attended the celebrations and said: “I am delighted that the Maid campaign has received this huge financial boost and look forward to seeing the Maid once again sailing on Loch Lomond.

“There is still much work to be done but this Heritage Lottery Fund investment should give confidence to other potential investors”.

The engagement of consultants and marine experts will begin immediately with all necessary surveys, reports, and costs being ready for the spring of 2016.

It is anticipated that Maid of the Loch will sail again in 2018.