Steamship Sir Walter Scott back sailing
SOS Appeal to Save our Steamship
Steamship Sir Walter Scott is back sailing on Loch Katrine thanks to tremendous public support.
An SOS - Save our Steamship appeal was launched in 2021 to restore the much-loved 123-year-old steamer.
A National Lottery Heritage Fund award of £130,000 and smaller grants from The Hugh Fraser Foundation and Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust, together with public donations, allowed work to replace decking and the two cracked boilers on the historic Steamship, with her returning to service in June 2023.
Sir Walter Scott Steamship, named after the poet's famous poem ‘Lady of the Lake’ about Loch Katrine, was published in 1810. Scott was born 250 years ago, and his work and other artists and poets of the day put Loch Katrine on the map.
The restoration cost climbed to £750,000, and the Steamship’s charitable trust would welcome any donations.
Donations to the SOS appeal can be made by clicking the button below, or by post, send a cheque payable to Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust at SOS Appeal, Trossachs Pier, Loch Katrine, Callander, FK17 8HZ.
Thank you to everyone who supported the appeal
6 Compelling reasons to support the Steamship
1. Better accessibility for all
The Steamship carries 220 passengers and is accessible for all mobility and sensory needs. A leading example of a water transport visitor experience in Scotland with wheelchair access.
2. Strengthening the Rural Economy
The Steamship provides significant direct and indirect employment, protecting jobs and supporting the fragile Trossachs rural economy.
3. Preserving a National Heritage Treasure
The Steamship is an important National Heritage asset, Scotland's last serving screw steamship.
4. Improving Connectivity
The Steamship connects Trossachs Pier with Stronachlachar, a vital transport connection to access cycling and walking routes, including a connection between Loch Katrine and Loch Lomond.
5. Enriching Education Opportunities
The steamer plays a vital role in education, with various themed activities and experiences that provide greater access and understanding of Scotland’s history, wildlife, and nature.
6. Providing Sustainable Transport
Green biofuel is used on the Steamship now which substantially reduces carbon emissions.