A DISPLAY of model ships created by a local man who won gold for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games will take centre stage at the Maid of the Loch paddle steamer this summer.

Lachie Stewart’s collection, meticulously assembled over the last 60 years, ranges from elegant paddle steamers to humble Clyde puffers and will be a real visual treat for visitors to the ship during the spring and summer.

Born in the Vale in 1943, Lachie is – or was, until now – best known for winning gold in the 10,000 metres race at the 1970 Games in Edinburgh, where he beat Australia’s Ron Clarke to the top step on the podium.

The Maid opens for the new season on Saturday, April 16, with the opening Easter weekend including ‘in steam’ winch house days, the Maid’s ever-popular Easter egg hunt, and exclusive hard hat tours of the ship as its restoration on the slipway next to Balloch Pier continues.

Donations towards the Maid’s ongoing restoration can be made at maidoftheloch.org/donate – though a crowdfunding appeal launched last month to help with the costs has already raised £43,000. 

The impressive winch house next to the pier will be ‘in steam’ each month, while visitors will also be able to explore the Slipway Museum and shop cabin space and explore themes from the golden age of shipbuilding.

The Maid will be open to the public every weekend from Easter until the end of October. Tickets for the hard hat tours can be booked online by clicking here.