A HAND-MADE model of the Maid of the Loch has been officially unveiled at Loch Lomond Shores in a bid to inspire more visitors to get on board with the cause.

The 1:35 large-scale replica, revealed by Vale athletics hero Lachie Stewart, was originally donated by the 1970 Commonwealth Games gold medal winner turned model boat builder in 2016.

But it has now been moved from the paddle steamer to a display in a smart new case at the neighbouring Shores - providing more visitors with the opportunity to enjoy its true likeness to the Maid when she was in Commission.

Model maker Lachie told the Advertiser: “I believe the scale of the ship works very well - it is large enough to add the small figures and they really make the Maid come alive. I hope seeing it encourages viewers to make a donation and help this wonderful vessel to sail again on the waters of Loch Lomond.”

The Maid currently operates as a static tourist attraction and hopes to gain industrial museum status for the ship and steam slipway as a growing number of artefacts are collected and restored to working condition.

The paddle steamer will reopen in Easter for open season with The Balloch Steam Slipway “In Steam” at the weekends. This will show the steam engine and gearing system in operation with audio visuals describing how the slipway pulls the Maid out of the water.

John Beveridge, Director of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, said: “The generous gift donated by Lachie has grabbed the attention of many of our visitors, both old and young, through its incredible detail and large-scale size.

“We’re now sharing its charming features with our close neighbours at Loch Lomond Shores, to show what a typical day of sailing onboard Maid of the Loch would be like.

"We hope this inspires visitors to the Shores to climb onboard the cause and envision the Maid as a sailing paddle steamer once again for the enjoyment of everyone, today and for future generations.”