SS Sir Walter Scott facts for kids
Sir Walter Scott at Trossachs Pier, 1981
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Sir Walter Scott |
| Namesake | Sir Walter Scott |
| Port of registry |  Glasgow |
| Route | Loch Katrine |
| Builder | William Denny and Brothers |
| Cost | £4,269 |
| Yard number | 623 |
| Launched | 1900 |
| Completed | 1900 |
| Identification | Official Number 111266 |
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Pleasure steamer |
| Tonnage | 115 grt |
| Length | 110 ft (34 m) |
| Beam | 19 ft (5.8 m) |
| Depth | 9.6 ft (2.9 m) |
| Installed power | Three-cylinder triple-expansion steam engine |
| Propulsion | Propeller |
| Crew | Five |
The SS Sir Walter Scott is a special steamship that has sailed on Loch Katrine in Scotland for over 100 years. This beautiful loch is in an area called the Trossachs. The ship offers fun cruises and a ferry service. It is the only screw steamer (a ship moved by a propeller) still carrying passengers regularly in Scotland. The ship is named after the famous writer Walter Scott. He wrote a poem called Lady of the Lake (1810) and a novel called Rob Roy (1818), both set around Loch Katrine.
Contents
Why Loch Katrine is Important
Loch Katrine became a very important place in 1859. This was because it started supplying Glasgow with its main drinking water. Water travels from the loch through long aqueducts and tunnels. These carry the water over 30 miles (50 kilometres) of hilly land to the city.
The Trossachs: A Popular Victorian Spot
The Trossachs area became very popular during the Victorian era. This was a time when Queen Victoria ruled Britain. People loved to visit the loch because it was so beautiful. It has wooded mountains all around it. The area also has many interesting historical stories. For example, it is known as the birthplace of the famous outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. Queen Victoria even had a holiday house built overlooking the loch. Early steamship services were already running on the loch back then.
How the Sir Walter Scott Was Built
The Sir Walter Scott was built by a company called William Denny and Brothers. They built it in a special way known as a "knock-down" ship. This means the ship was first put together using bolts and nuts at Denny's shipyard in Dumbarton. This shipyard was located on the River Leven.
From Shipyard to Loch Katrine
In 1899, the ship was launched and tested in the Firth of Clyde. It even had its speed measured on a special "measured mile" course. After these tests, the ship was taken apart. Each piece was numbered carefully. These numbered pieces were then moved by a barge up Loch Lomond. From there, horse-drawn carts carried the pieces overland to Stronachlachar pier on Loch Katrine. In 1900, the ship was put back together using permanent rivets. It was then launched again on Loch Katrine. The total cost to build and deliver the ship was £4,269.
Ship Features and Power
The Sir Walter Scott is 110 feet (34 metres) long and 19-foot (5.8-metre) wide. It weighs 115 gross register tons. The ship is powered by its original engine, a three-cylinder triple-expansion steam engine. This engine was made by Matthew Paul & Company.
How the Engine Works
The ship uses two special locomotive-type boilers. Until 2007, these boilers were heated by solid fuel, like coal. A person called a stoker would feed the fuel into the firebox. Most other steamships changed to oil-fired boilers. However, the Sir Walter Scott kept using solid fuel. This was important to make sure Glasgow's water supply stayed clean. They later switched from coal to coke to reduce air pollution.
Modern Updates
At the end of 2007, the ship had a major update. Its boilers were changed to run on biofuel, which is better for the environment. During this update, the top part of the ship, called the superstructure, was also rebuilt. A new cabin was added at the front of the deck. Some people think these changes made the ship look different from its original Victorian style. The ship has a crew of five people who work on board.
Sir Walter Scott Journeys
The Sir Walter Scott starts its trips from Trossachs pier. This pier is at the east end of Loch Katrine, about 7 miles (11 kilometres) northwest of Callander. The ship offers a ferry service 8 miles (13 kilometres) west along the loch to Stronachlachar pier.
Daily Schedule and Maintenance
In the morning, the ship leaves at 10:30. It takes people who want to walk or cycle and then return by land. It then brings passengers back to Trossachs pier. In the afternoon, the ship also does shorter scenic cruises. From January to March each year, the ship is taken out of the water onto a slipway. This is when important maintenance work is done to keep it in good condition. Another boat, the Lady of the Lake, also runs trips to Stronachlachar during the summer. It also runs on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays between January and March.
