SOS appeal urged to save Sir Walter Scott steamship

Sir Walter Scott Steamship sailing on Loch Katrine, passing Brenachoile Point

An urgent appeal has been launched to save the 121-year-old steamship Sir Walter Scott Steamship and get her back sailing on Loch Katrine.

The SOS appeal to ‘Save our Steamship’ seeks to raise £500,000 to restore the historic steamer, which requires a new boiler and other significant repairs.

These funds will have to be secured by the end of this year to allow work to begin in time to allow her to resume sailing during summer 2022 and to avoid further deterioration.

She has not sailed since an annual inspection in January 2020 revealed hairline cracks in the boiler which led to it being condemned.

Launched away back in 1900, the steamer is named after the novelist and poet, born exactly 250 years ago, whose ‘Lady of the Lake’ poem, published in 1810 is said to have put Loch Katrine and the Trossachs on the map, resulting in it becoming the ‘Birthplace of Scottish Tourism’.

Crowds have continued to flock to Loch Katrine to sail on the steamship.

James Fraser, trustee and chief executive of the Steamship Trust, said: ‘’Our efforts to restore the steamship have been severely hampered by the impact of Covid 19 lockdowns which meant we have not been able to generate enough trading income to repair and restore the steamship to full sailing.

“Sadly, as a result of the prolonged cessation of sailings the steamship has rapidly deteriorated and this is a situation we are anxious to reverse quickly as there is a real danger of us losing the boat permanently.

“Many generations of visitors have had enormous pleasure sailing on the historic Sir Water Scott Steamship. We have to act now to make sure that current and future generations will be able to enjoy cruises on this national maritime heritage treasure.’’

The ship is said to be  a significant local employer, with many additional indirect jobs dependent on her being in operation.

As well as providing transport links on the loch for sightseers, cyclists and walkers, the vessel can carry 220 passengers and is accessible for all levels of mobility and sensory needs.

When restored she will also be a leading example of an eco-friendly water transport visitor experience in Scotland with low carbon emissions due to a ground-breaking hydrogen-based fuel mix that it is planned to use.

Financial support can be made on site at Loch Katrine or via the SOS appeal website.