The first contract to be awarded in the £5.5 million project to rebuild the Loch Lomond Scotland) Paddle Steamer, the Maid of the Loch, has been signed. The contract ahead of the actual rebuild has been awarded to OSD-IMT Ltd, of Dundee, and is for marine consultancy services. OSD will provide the necessary naval architecture, engineering, structure, and outfitting expertise to produce all the required calculations, drawings, and designs to ensure that the rebuild meets all regulatory requirements.
John Beveridge, founder of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, the charitable trust that owns the Maid of the Loch, said, “This is a landmark event for us. It is almost exactly 20 years since the charity took ownership of the Maid of the Loch, and we are now able to start work on returning this unique ship back into steam operating condition. It is hugely exciting for everyone and our thanks for all the wonderful support we have had. This is a major investment for Loch Lomond”.
Managing Director of OSD-IMT Ltd, Neil Patterson, said “We are pleased to be able to support the Loch Lomond Steamship Company with this exciting and challenging project and look forward to assisting them in returning ‘Maid of the Loch’ to operation”.
Maid of the Loch is the last paddle steamer built in Britain in 1953, and she sailed on the loch until 1981, carrying notable people such as Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Salote of Tonga. She lay neglected and deteriorating at Balloch until rescued by the charity in 1996.
Dr Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said “I am absolutely delighted that the project to rebuild the historic Maid of the Loch can now go full steam ahead; it is fantastic news for tourism in the region. As the last paddle steamer built in Britain, as well as the last in a long line of Loch Lomond steamers, the ship is an important part of Scotland’s maritime heritage. She already draws a significant number of visitors every year but the refurbishment works to restore her to her former, full glory as an operational paddle steamer will mean that she’ll become a superb, first-class attraction, offering a greatly enhanced quality of visitor experience. During this Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016, we are highlighting and celebrating examples of Scotland’s rich engineering legacy as well as icons of innovation across many fields. The Maid of the Loch is certainly one of those so I am very much looking forward to seeing the completion of this exciting restoration project.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDf_m3jZ87s
Last year Maid of the Loch was awarded a Stage 1 pass by the Heritage Lottery Fund worth £230,400, which allows this professional work to be carried out. HLF has promised a further £3.8 million if the charity can raise the balance of £1.7 million.
“Of course, the Maid is not just an historic steamship”, added John Beveridge. “She represents jobs, training, added value for visitors and will be an icon for Loch Lomond. A refurbished Maid of the Loch will embrace 21st century safety and comfort, with 20th century Scottish engineering, using 19th century technology. How brilliant will that be?”
