A fundraising appeal has just been launched in a bid to raise money to help restore one of Scotland's most historic vessels.
Campaigners are hoping to raise £170,000 in the next 100 days to get Scotland's oldest passenger steamship back on the water where it belongs.
The only surviving screw steamer in regular passenger service in Scotland, the 122-year-old Sir Walter Scott has sailed on the waters of Loch Katrine since it was first introduced in 1900.
But it was taken out of service in the summer of 2020 after an annual inspection programme found extensive cracks in both the steamship's boilers.
The 'Save our Steamship' public appeal is now making a final push to raise the outstanding funds needed to get it back on the loch by the summer.
The campaign has set a 100-day deadline to raise the final £170,000 required, with hopes to get it sailing again on June 26.
James Fraser, trustee and chief executive of the Steamship Trust, the custodians of the Sir Walter Scott on behalf of the nation, said there had been 'enormous public support'.
Mr Fraser said: "Almost every day, we're receiving public donations large and small, often accompanied by messages showing their deep affection for Sir Walter Scott Steamship.
"We are therefore much closer to being able to save, restore and bring back into service Scotland's much-loved and oldest passenger carrying steamer.
"We are now refocusing the appeal with a mission to raise the outstanding £170,000 in the next 100 days to get Sir Walter Scott Steamship sailing again later this summer.
"We believe that ambitious target can be met with further public support and would welcome any donations and sponsorships to help fund new decking and other important restoration works."
The Steamship Trust has secured the rest of the £500,000 required for the job.
In 2008 the steamship, which carries up to 220 passengers, moved from being powered by coal to more environmentally-friendly biodiesel.
This summer, biodiesel will be replaced by a new ground-breaking green hydrogen and vegetable oil fuel which would reduce CO2 emissions by more than 90 per cent.
To support the appeal, visit www.saveoursteamship.com.
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