A LOCAL man who won gold for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games will be giving a talk next month.

Lachie Stewart will be hosting a talk at the Concord Centre in Dumbarton about his very eventful life being a track chamption, to his extraodinatry talent for building model boats.

Born in the Vale in 1943, Lachie is – or was, until now – best known for winning gold in the 10,000 metres race at the 1970 Games in Edinburgh, where he beat Australia’s Ron Clarke to the top step on the podium.

His model boat collection, assembled over the past 60 years, ranges from elegant paddle steamers to humble Clyde puffers and provides a visual treat for visitors to the ship during the summer.

Last year in May, the Reporter told how the Maid of the Loch ran an exhibition Chariots of Steam displaying his wonderful collection. The exhibition is expected to be reopened this summer in the Denny Tank Museum.

At the time he told the Reporter: "I have been on the Maid of the Loch many a time with my parents, and I used photographs which I took before 1968 to make the model, but I never gave that away until 10 years ago. I eventually gave them the model because I sailed it in front of the steamers.

“It certainly is a real honour to see my model ships on display. It has been lovely chatting to people about my ships and I just hope local people enjoy it as much as I have loved making them.”

The event hosted by the Lennox Heritage Society - which is putting on a series of guest talks - will be held on February 8 at 7pm and everyone is welcome to join.

Tickets are £10 for all talks, but single talks are £2.

For more information visit the Lennox Heritage Society on Facebook.