THE engine room of the recently restored Maid of the Loch paddle steamer will be opened up to the public for the first time in 38 years this weekend.

Neary four decades since the Maid’s engines were last in steam, people are being invited to watch the crankshaft and valve gear in action again on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27.

The charity which owns the famous vessel, the Loch Lomond Steamship Company (LLSC), has received investment of more than £1 million to help towards a complete refit of the ship’s interior, and the completion of the restoration project was celebrated at the beginning of October as the engines were fired up for the first time since 1981.

READ MORE: Maid of the Loch's engines fired up for first time in four decades

Members of the LLSC are hoping to train up suitable engineers to enable more open days to be organised, but currently only four dates have been arranged so far: this Saturday and Sunday, and the following weekend, November 2 and 3.

The Maid will open from 11am to 4pm each day - last entries at 3.30pm - and her majestic engines will be operating under the watchful eye of Marine Superintendent Ken Blacklock.

John Beveridge, LLSC chairman, said: “We’ve just successfully completed a £1.1 million refit of the steamer and a key feature is that her engines have been restored to working condition.

“We want everyone to see her engines in steam, and her paddles turning for the first time since 1981.

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“Just to listen to the engine room machinery, smell the oil, see the steam, and hear the splash of the paddles is an amazing experience. Bring your cameras!”

The charity’s volunteers will be on hand to guide and show visitors around and the tearoom will be open for soup and cakes.

There will be a charge on entry to help cover running costs.

Further “in steam” days are being planned before the end of the year.

Visit maidoftheloch.org for more information.