Maid of the Loch: New campaign to launch to raise money for paddlesteamer

The charity which owns the ship is looking for the backing of the public to raise £25,000 to purchase essential equipment required to restore both port and starboard passles.

The Maid of the Loch was hauled out of the water last summer for essential repairs, which the Loch Lomond Steamship Company hopes will eventually lead to the ship being able to carry passengers on cruises on the loch for the first time in more than 40 years.

All money raised will help procure new paddle floats, bearings and bushes as well as overhaul of the "jenny nettles" structure and painting of the interior of the paddle boxes.

The "jenny nettles" is the arrangement that makes the paddles feather, resulting in more efficient propulsion. On the port side, this is misaligned and requires significant refurbishment.

The replacement of the spring beams and the addition of ending/paddle turning gear are also required and are included in the restoration campaign aspirations.

Jim Mitchell, the charity's industrial heritage director, said: “These funds will allow us to take the paddles to ‘as-new’ condition.

"The plan is for the ship to be returned to the loch with all underwater work completed.

"This, along with the hull work will be a major leap forward towards the Maid sailing once more.”

All those who contribute to the appeal will be given exclusive access to a new online virtual tour of the entire ship.

The fund-raiser is set to be shared across the charity's social media pages this Friday.

To find out more information and to donate visit Maid of the Loch - Paddle Restoration Campaign on Crowdfunder.