Welcome to the Home Page for the MAID OF THE LOCH, Loch Lomond's Paddle Steamer. Visit her by the Bonnie, Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, at Balloch Pier.

The Maid is open to the public as an Historic Visitor Attraction; and as a totally unique venue for events and functions.

Maid of the Loch is open every day from June to the end of August, from 11am to 5pm*.

New for this year we have a Tea Room on board serving freshly made sandwiches, hot Paninis, toasties, and fabulous home baking. Relax with a cup of freshly made coffee with a choice of several varieties. Our new souvenir shop also sells confectionery and now has a range of second hand books.  

There is plenty car parking adjacent, and limited access for the less abled. Admission is free. Donations are most welcome and helps the upkeep of the Maid. 

The Balloch Steam Slipway is a 1902 heritage attraction, with "In Steam" days every Saturday and Sunday until the end of September. Opening times are 11am to 4pm, and entry is free. See the steam engine and gearing system in operation; try the interactive displays; or watch the audio visuals describe how the slipway pulls the Maid out of the water. Or blow our steam whistle!   

LLSC is a charity registered in Scotland (No. SC024062). All Directors and volunteers give of their time free. We have no paid staff

* Subject to weather conditions 

 

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In Steam for 2013

Our aim is to return the Maid to steam operation in 2013. We have raised and invested over £1.6M in the Maid and infrastructure since 1996, and committed over 62,000 hours of our volunteers time to her restoration so far. We need £3.3M to get her sailing again so watch this space, and please contribute what you can! Full details about our fundraising will appear here in due course

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Latest News

The Maid has been given a new set of flags this year by the Scottish Branch of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. The set will allow us to dress the ship overall; there is also a new name pennant; and a red ensign. Our grateful thanks to PSPS Scottish Branch as this is a great finishing touch.  

New signage for the Maid is being devised with our new logo, thanks to a £2,000 grant from West Dunbartonshire Council's Tourism Grant Scheme. New signs for on board the steamer, and local directional signs have been produced and will be getting delivered shortly.

West Dunbartonshire Council are also assisting us with providing an educational facility on the Maid, so we can hold visits from schools on aboard and give them guided tours of the ship, explaining the engineering, navigational, and tourism heritage of the vessel.

This year we have put a viewing window in the starboard side paddlebox so the paddlewheel can be seen in detail; refurbishment of the wheelhouse and Captain's Cabin is underway so visitors can see what it looked like when the Maid was sailing; and the Queens' Restaurant has been given a new ceiling, new lighting, and redecorated.