The 120 year-old steamship which sails on Loch Katrine has been taken out of service due to cracks in the boilers
As part of an annual inspection programme extensive cracks were found in both the Sir Walter Scott’s boilers.
And the trustees of the charitable body which runs it have concluded after specialist surveys that the boilers are beyond repair, meaning the iconic vessel will not be sailing in the Trossachs this season.
Sir Walter Scott Steamship Ltd manager director Gordon Allan said:” This is a major setback as we were looking forward to a special anniversary year celebrating 120 years of the steamship sailing.
“This follows on from a downturn in business linked to major landslides on the lochside last August and we were well on the road to recovery with the prospects of a bumper season ahead.
“The immediate priorities now are taking steps to safeguard the 55 direct jobs and many indirect jobs dependent on our Loch Katrine operations, and ensuring we are in a position to honour existing group business contracts as well as independent travel and walk up business this season.
“We are fortunate that we have other boats available, so I am confident with the goodwill of the general public and the commitment and enthusiasm of our staff we should be able to continue to trade successfully and offer a high quality visitor experience while we consider ways to bring the Sir Walter Scott back into service as quickly as possible.”
James Fraser, chief executive and a trustee of the Steamship Trust said: “Our trustees are determined to ensure the historic steamship, which is an important and unique Scottish heritage asset, continues to have a future operating on Loch Katrine and immediate steps have been taken to explore costed options to bring the steamship back into service which are both realistic and sustainable.
“We are anxious to ensure we are not faced with a similar situation again in a few years due to steam boiler unreliability issues which have a striking resemblance to what happened to the PS Waverley boilers last year.
“Once we have more details on future options, likely costs and our funding strategy, which may well include a public funding appeal, we will issue an update but in the meantime we would urge members of the public to support our existing operation by visiting Loch Katrine which continues to be a very special destination in the heart of the Loch Lomond and The The steamship Sir Walter Scott first came into service in the spring of 1900 after trials on the Clyde in 1899.
Ownership transferred from Scottish Water to a charitable trust in 2007 and in 2008 the steamship moved from being powered by coal to bio diesel.
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