LOCH Lomond’s newest passenger cruise boat – the MV Lomond Monarch - has completed the final leg of an epic journey to arrive at her new home.

The vessel, acquired by Cruise Loch Lomond, started her journey in Loch Ness and has made her way through some of Scotland’s finest waterways to her new base on the western shore of Loch Lomond.

The last stretch of the journey involved overland transportation by local haulier Galt Transport which saw the vessel travel from Dumbarton to Balloch before being lifted onto the loch by crane.

Weighing 50 tonnes, the vessel measures 16.5m long, 5.3m wide and 6m high and will carry up to 120 passengers when it launches its tour programme the middle of this month.

The vessel was craned out of the River Leven at Sandpoint Marina and onto Galt’s specialist trailer with the journey overland beginning at dawn the next day. Travelling through Bonhill, Jamestown and onwards to Balloch the boat was lifted and lowered onto Loch Lomond by mobile crane when it arrived at the lochside.

Months of preparation involving several partner agencies ensured the safest, most efficient route was identified for the movement of the large passenger boat. Planning for road closures, Police assistance and the movement of overhead cables all came together to see the Loch’s newest addition arrive safely at her new home.

The MV Lomond Monarch joins the MV Lomond Prince as one of the larger vessels in the Cruise Loch Lomond fleet of eight vessels.

The largest private passenger cruise boat operator in Scotland, Cruise Loch Lomond provides a full schedule of cruises, ferry and waterbus sailings as well as private and wedding charters.

Established in 1947 and currently celebrating their 70th anniversary, Galt Transport operates more than 60 trucks and 100 trailers.

MV Lomond Monarch will begin her sailing schedule from this Wednesday, July 20.

See www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk for more details.