GREENOCK marine engineering firm Rankin and Blackmore made the engines for the paddle steamer Maid of the Loch which has her grand summer opening on Saturday.

From this weekend the Maid,pictured, will be open every day during the summer as fundraising continues to get her sailing again.

She has been tied up at Balloch Pier since last plying the waters of Loch Lomond in 1981 and has been owned by the Loch Lomond Steamship Company (LLSC), which is a charity, since 1996. Special events are planned for Saturday and the Balloch Steam Slipway will be ‘in steam’.

LLSC director John Beveridge said: “Our volunteers will be on hand to offers guided tours of the Maid for the very first time, and the cafe will be open as usual.

“Knightswood Model Boat Club will be displaying a fantastic range of their model boats, cars, tanks and helicopters, so the kids will love it.” In addition to competitions for children, other special attractions on Saturday include the opportunity to watch the steam launches Silkie and Talisker sailing in the bay and the chance to win a short trip round Balloch on a 34-year-old coach.

Admission to the Maid of the Loch is free and from this weekend her daily opening times are 11am to 5pm.