OARSMEN from Scotland's oldest rowing club have conquered the entire length of Loch Lomond for the first time in 20 years.

Scullers from Loch Lomond Rowing Club completed the 25-mile distance in little more than three hours to raise money for the 185-year-old club.

The calm waters, bright sunshine and light winds helped the four oarsmen and their cox row the outstanding 41 kilometres of Loch Lomond on Saturday.

Although attempted many times over the years, this was the first time the conditions were good enough for the quad of four and their cox to complete the full length of the loch.

Rising at 4.30am, the five members of Loch Lomond Rowing club, Martin Claxton (Helensburgh), Eva Rankin (Helensburgh), Stephen Whyte (Balloch), Sally Pollok-Morris (Rhu) and cox Emma Rankin (Helensburgh), drove to Ardlui on the northern shores of the loch and launched their boat before setting off at first light of day.

Martin, club president said: "We wanted to be on the water at dawn as that is when the water is the calmest and the winds the lightest.

"When day broke, we had the added bonus of bright sunshine which made the challenge all the more wonderful." The journey took three hours and 25 mins with a five minute rest stop at the half way mark.

Accompanying them down the loch was the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat crewed by volunteers including Clinton Salter, David O'Neill, Gerry Heaney and Ian Walker.

Clinton said: "Loch Lomond is a very tricky loch. The weather can turn in an instant and the water can change from calm to choppy in seconds. Whilst we are delighted to accompany this crew of extremely experience rowers down the loch, we would not recommend less experienced to attempt it. It was a great achievement and we were pleased to give our support." Whilst a crew were rowing on the loch, 20 juniors were back at the clubhouse rowing the equivalent distance in relays on rowing machines.

The efforts of all were to raise much needed funds for the Loch Lomond Rowing Club clubhouse which is badly in need of a new roof.

With sponsorship still coming in, exact amounts raised are not known but they are hoping to raise in excess of �2,000.

With renewed interest in the sport since the Olympics, the club is hoping to move to a new Sports Hub at the mouth of the loch in 2015.

Bacon rolls, tea and coffee were served to the exhilarated rowers and the rescue boat members as they came off the water.

Martin added: "It was wonderful seeing the club working together for one aim and such a great feeling of success to finally row the loch from one end to another. It did help that the conditions were absolutely perfect."