Maid Of The Loch

[ronnietucker]

With Sunday being such a nice day, I decided to cycle from Bowling to Loch Lomond (about 12 miles, about 1hr) and see the Maid Of The Loch. She's a beauty. They're trying to restore her to full working order and get her sailing again.

Here are some photos of the day:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/EfyP765vNXprAY423

WARNING: vintage car porn in some photos  

[matty40s]

Im sure she was next to the Waverley in Glasgow last Jan awaiting steelwork.

[Rickent]

1 hour ago, matty40s said:

Im sure she was next to the Waverley in Glasgow last Jan awaiting steelwork.

You must be knackered mate, you are 50 now you need to take it easy.

[ronnietucker]

3 minutes ago, matty40s said:

Im sure she was next to the Waverley in Glasgow last Jan awaiting steelwork.

I dunno... I doubt it. It's not moved in years (I'm told). Even then (according to Wikipedia, so it must be true), it was originally taken up there by rail (in bits) and reassembled on the Loch.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS_Maid_of_the_Loch

[Up-Side-Down]

3 minutes ago, matty40s said:

Im sure she was next to the Waverley in Glasgow last Jan awaiting steelwork.

That's the TS Queen Mary Matty. It's a very long time since the Maid of the Loch moved and there's a barrage and the very swiftly flowing Rive Leven between her berth on Loch Lomond and the Clyde.

[ronnietucker]

1 minute ago, Up-Side-Down said:

That's the TS Queen Mary Matty. It's a very long time since the Maid of the Loch moved and there's a barrage and the very swiftly flowing Rive Leven between her berth on Loch Lomond and the Clyde.

Speaking of the Leven, is it just me (maybe sunstroke) or is do big chunks of the Leven look really shallow?

And what's with all the abandoned boats in the middle of the Leven? Very sad.

[Up-Side-Down]

With the building of the barrage the Leven became both fast flowing (second fastest flowing river in Scotland I believe) and shallow. It was once navigated by sailing barges called Gabbetts. There's at least one sunk in Bowling harbour.

[matty40s]

13 minutes ago, Up-Side-Down said:

That's the TS Queen Mary Matty. It's a very long time since the Maid of the Loch moved and there's a barrage and the very swiftly flowing Rive Leven between her berth on Loch Lomond and the Clyde.

Ah, OK, now I see the better pictures I can see you are correct

[AllanD]

Thank you, Ronnie for the photos. I can remember when the Maid had the white hull when I was  on her in the 60's. At that time I believe she was still part of The Caledonian Steam Packet Company which in turn was part of British Rail. It meant that my Father's free rail pass was valid.

I recall sailing from Balloch, to Balmaha, Rowanderran, Luss, Tarbet, Inversnaid and then to Ardlui. Fond memories.