From Saturday, the ship will open its doors every day during the summer and a series of special events has been planned to mark the occasion.

Firstly, visitors will be given the chance to win a short trip around Balloch in a classic 1980 Mercedes coach which was once used to tour the Loch Lomond area.

Visitors will also be given a guided tour of the ship, as well as see an exhibition of ship, tank and other models.

For real boating fanatics, two steam launches — small, steam-powered river boats — called Silkie and Talisker will also be sailing around the Maid.

As well as this, the Balloch Steam Slipway, will also be in operation.

And for a bit of fun, there’s also a guess the weight of the cake competition — the cake being in the shape of the Maid, of course.

The ship is owned by the Loch Lomond Steamship Company. John Beveridge, director, said: “It will be an exciting day and an opportunity for visitors to see boats and bus visitors can try and win a free trip on the 1980 classic coach, and watch real steam launches Silkie and Talisker as they sail about the bay.

“Our volunteers will be on hand to offer 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 and there are two competitions for kids to take part in, so there will be plenty to do and see.” The Maid was built on the Clyde by A&J Shipyard in 1953 and was the last vessel of its kind to be produced in Britain.

It last sailed in 1983, and since then has fallen into a state of disrepair, however LLSC launched an appeal last year, on the Maid’s 60th birthday, to raise £3.3 million to restore it back to its original condition. Admission to the Maid is free and she is open from 11am to 5pm.