The restoration of a famous Dumbarton-built ship has been given a boost by a group of steamer enthusiasts.

The charitable trust behind the SS Sir Walter Scott restoration project was presented with a cheque for £150 from members of Clyde River Steamer Club (CRSC), a group with a passion for all things to do with Scottish shipping.

The CRSC, found in 1932, celebrate its 90th anniversary this year and club president Robin Copland believes a donation to one of Scotland’s best-loved boats was a fine way to recognise the landmark.

He said: “In the past, CRSC members have been pleased to support the paddle steamer Waverley, so we felt that it was entirely fitting that our 90th anniversary year should be marked with a contribution towards returning the much-loved Sir Walter Scott back to service on Loch Katrine.”

The 122-year-old SS Sir Walter Scott was built at the Denny shipyard on the River Leven in Dumbarton and is one of only a handful of Denny-built vessels still afloat. 

The restoration project was recently given a boost with a National Lottery grant of £130,000.

And James Fraser, chief executive and trustee of the Sir Walter Scott Steamship Trust thanked the group for their help.

He said: “This latest welcome contribution from the Clyde River Steamer Club brings us ever closer to our £500,000 fund-raising target.

"While we have been successful in securing grant funding from several sources, it is contributions from individuals, clubs and societies that is making a real difference and we now anticipate bringing the historic steamship, which is a national maritime treasure built in 1899, back into service by this autumn with a final fund-raising push over the summer months.’’