SS Sir Walter Scott

As the only surviving screw-driven steamer in Scotland, the SS Sir Walter Scott transports thousands of visitors back to a gilded age. An age when Britain led the world with its engineering achievements, and had an empire on which the sun never set. Built at the famous yards of William Denny & Bros. Ltd, Dumbarton at a cost of £4,250, the SS Sir Walter Scott was transported in pieces up Loch Lomond by barge. From here her journey took her overland by horse and cart from Inversnaid to Stronachlachar, on Loch Katrine, where she was reassembled ready for launching.

The SS Sir Walter Scott's launch on 31st October 1899 was a simple affair, not covered by the press of the day due to other major events making the news, such as the Boer War and the poor health of Queen Victoria. As she slipped gracefully away under the command of Captain John McKinnen, few would have believed that the SS Sir Walter Scott was embarking on a career that would see her operating the same stretch of water for over a century. Even today SS Sir Walter Scott remains as the sole passenger-carrying vessel to have ever operated on Loch Katrine.

110ft (33.3m) in length and weighing 115 tons, the SS Sir Walter Scott is powered by her original triple expansion steam engine, receiving steam from two horizontal boilers. Few modifications have been necessary throughout her life, apart from the replacement of her original square windows with portholes, her conversion to smokeless fuel, and the construction of a small bridge forward of the funnel (she was originally steered from the deck). To ensure the continued purity of the water in Loch Katrine, all bilge water is now dealt with ashore.

Currently operated by Scottish Water, the SS Sir Walter Scott still continues to offer cruises most weekdays throughout the summer season. We sailed with her in May from Trossachs Pier to Stronachlachar and, although the day was overcast, there were very few spaces left on the boat. Sliding gently across the calm waters of the Loch, passing the rugged hills, you could almost imagine it to be the same as in the time of the area's favourite hero, Rob Roy MacGregor.

Scottish Water should be congratulated for their efforts in maintaining this unique vessel, immortalised by Scott's 'Lady of the Lake'. Hopefully this will provide the SS Sir Walter Scott with a secure future, and allow many more visitors to experience the thrill of this sedate mode of travel through some of Scotland's legendary landscape.