Ferries to set sail on Loch Lomond once more

FOR generations, it offered the best way to take in one of Scotland's most iconic visitor attractions. Now, nearly three decades after the last passenger steamer sailed across Loch Lomond, the service is to return.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority (NPA) will this summer launch a pilot scheme which it hopes will establish once again a full-time passenger ferry on the loch.

The timetabled service, funded by Scottish Enterprise, has been in the planning stage for six months, but The Scotsman can reveal that the first ferry will take to the waters in July.

While a final decision has yet to be taken on routes, it is understood the service will sail from Balloch at the south end of the loch, travel up the waters, picking up passengers at the likes of Balmaha and Rowardennan, before heading onwards to Tarbert.

Furthermore, by focusing on tourist hot spots on the eastern shores of the loch, the NPA hopes it will encourage people to leave their cars behind when travelling around the area. The scheme is part of a long-term strategy by the NPA to improve visitor management to the park and minimise the impact of motorists.

As revealed in yesterday's Scotland on Sunday, the NPA will next summer begin charging for its car parks, a move it believes will help garner revenue and ease numbers going to pressured areas.

Gordon Watson, director of planning and rural development at the NPA, said: "We're not looking to compete with the cruising companies that are established on the loch. What we want to provide is a journey that allows people to get from A to B.

"It's a really big play for us, and we're very close to finalising routes… we envisage a service where people will be able to go from the south end at Balloch on to places like Balmaha.

"It means, for example, walkers can get to Ben Lomond by going up the loch on the boat, instead of driving up the east side."

Mr Watson said that, as a public body, the NPA did not want to run the ferry service and were actively seeking interest from the business community. Among those firms interested are the Argyll-based Silvers Marine.

However, Peter Jack, chairman of the Loch Lomond Association, said he was left unconvinced after a recent meeting with representatives from MVA Consultancy, the transport planning specialists involved in the project.

Mr Jack said: "As the proposals stood, it could not be viable. Where will you get boats for the service, as all the existing cruise operators are at full capacity?

"And what happens if someone leaves their car at Balloch and tries to return in the evening from Rowardennan, only to find the ferry is at full capacity?"

The tradition of steamers on the loch dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria, when vessels such as The Princess May, The Princess Patricia and The Prince Edward attracted numerous tourists.