The Maid of the Loch

The Maid of the Loch, Loch Lomond’s last paddle steamer, invites visitors to step back in time and remember a golden age of steam that boosted tourism at Loch Lomond.

As you can see from the picture above the iconic paddle steamer affectionately known as “The Maid,” is located on a dry dock to allow ongoing restoration work, by the charity that own her.

Having worked closely with the charity dedicated to her restoration, I’ve had the privilege of producing promotional videos and designing their website to support appeals. Their tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to seeing this historic vessel sail once again is truly inspiring.

Over the last 15 years, I’ve captured numerous moments through videos and photographs, chronicling the Maid’s history, restoration progress, and the incredible work of the volunteers. In this guide, we’ll dive into the fascinating story of the Maid of the Loch, share restoration updates, and provide tips for visiting.

Where is the Maid of the Loch?

The Maid of the Loch is located at Balloch Pier on the southern shores of Loch Lomond. See the location, close to Loch Lomond shores below and use ///water.tiger.charm on What3Words to find her exact location. You will find more visitor information later in this guide.

 

The Maid of the Loch was built in 1953

Constructed in the Glasgow shipyard of A&J Inglis, the Maid of the Loch was an engineering marvel of her time. Assembling such a vessel on the shores of Loch Lomond was no easy task. The ship was initially bolted together in Glasgow, then disassembled, transported by rail to Balloch, and reassembled on the Balloch Slipway. Her launch on March 5, 1953, marked the beginning of her illustrious career on the loch, where she served as a grand passenger steamer.

Loch Lomond’s Largest Steamer

At her peak, the Maid was a beacon of grandeur and innovation. Licensed to carry 1,000 passengers, she became the largest paddle steamer to sail Loch Lomond. Over 28 years, she hosted millions of passengers, including royalty, celebrities, and countless day-trippers. From romantic dates to weddings and wakes, the Maid served as a floating venue for life’s most cherished moments, creating memories that live on in the hearts of many.

The End of a Golden Era

The Maid’s heyday lasted through the 1950s and 1960s, but by the late 1970s, changing travel trends took their toll. With the rise of affordable foreign holidays, passenger numbers declined, and the Maid was decommissioned in 1981. Left neglected for years, the vessel fell victim to decay and vandalism. Her future seemed bleak until Dumbarton District Council purchased her in 1992, sparking a movement to save this iconic paddle steamer.

A Lifeline for the Maid

In 1996, the Maid of the Loch was rescued from near-dereliction by the Loch Lomond Steamship Company. This dedicated group of volunteers launched an ambitious restoration project to return the ship to full-steam operation. Over the years, they have raised more than £2 million and completed crucial conservation work, including refurbishing the engine and restoring key parts of the ship, such as the Queen’s Lounge and Aft Deck Saloon.

Despite setbacks, including losing potential Heritage Lottery Funding in 2018, the restoration effort continues. Recent projects include refurbishing the Forward Dining Saloon, installing a package boiler to power the engine, and conducting essential maintenance to preserve the ship for future generations. The Maid’s dedicated team remains optimistic, working tirelessly to raise the £4-5 million needed to get her back sailing.

The Maid of the Loch Charity Appeals

In this guide, I’ll share some of the videos I’ve produced for the Maid of the Loch charity through my marketing business. While some of the specific appeals featured in the videos have now ended, the ongoing restoration appeal continues, and the charity urgently needs financial support. These videos showcase the Maid’s rich history and include digitised classic footage of her sailing on Loch Lomond during her glory days.

The first one (watch below) was produced in 2022 to raise funds for replacement paddles.

Maid of the Loch Paddle Appeal

Visiting the Maid of the Loch

Visiting the Maid is a chance to witness an exciting restoration project. Located at Balloch Pier, the shipyard is open to visitors on designated days in the spring and summer. You can enjoy breathtaking views of Ben Lomond and the loch’s southern shores from the ship's deck or pier.

On special “In Steam” days, visitors can experience the historic steam winch house from 1953. The sight and sound of steam-powered machinery hauling the Maid along the slipway is an unforgettable spectacle. Knowledgeable guides offer hard-hat tours, allowing visitors to explore the wheelhouse, engine room, and other parts of the ship while learning about its storied history.

Attractions at Balloch Pier

The Maid of the Loch is located at Balloch Pier, easily accessible by car or public transport. Check the official website for the latest opening hours, restoration updates, and special events. Wild Highlands Coffee House are based on the pier, serving locally roasted coffee and snacks. There are toilets nearby within a building at the Duncan Mills Slipway.

At the nearby Loch Lomond Shores there is a wonderful model of the Maid in the foyer.

Maid of the Loch Model, at Loch Lomond Shores

Maid of the Loch Website

We designed and built a website for the charity, at the site you can find out more about the Maid, buy merchandise and donate to the restoration.

Loch Lomond Photographer

Weddings & Family Photo Shoots

Visit Website

Supporting the Restoration

The Maid’s restoration relies heavily on donations, merchandise sales, and support from visitors. Purchasing Maid-branded souvenirs or making a contribution helps ensure this iconic vessel remains a part of Loch Lomond’s heritage. Large or small donations contribute to essential projects, such as repairing the historic steam winch house or maintaining the ship’s hull and paddles.

2017 Maid of the Loch Appeal

In 2017, we produced a video to support a major appeal. That video, which you can watch below featured a special music track composed and performed by Scottish musicians Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain, with famous Scottish actor Bill Paterson presenting the film.

We will keep this guide updated with news about events and progress on fundraising from the Maid of the Loch team. When she returns to the water the black and red colour scheme will have been replaced with her original colours. For nostalgia here’s a picture in that former livery when she was last in the water.

Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

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