Loch Katrine has provided clean water to Glasgow since 1859. The SS Sir Walter Scott first sailed on the loch in 1900. She was originally built at Denny's yard in Dumbarton then transported, in pieces, by barge up Loch Lomond to Inversnaid and then overland by horse drawn carts to Stronachlachar where she was rebuilt and launched. The ship is 110 feet long, 19 feet in beam and weighs 115 tons. She is still powered by her original three cylinder triple expansion steam engine. Steam is provided by two hand stoked coal fired boilers. The ship is designed to minimise impact on the loch and is sealed putting no waste into the water.

Our cruise will start from Trossachs Pier and take approximately one hour travelling along the loch towards Stronachlachar. Though some trips call in at Stronachlachar with a short time ashore, our shorter trip will not include a stop.

Crannogs are a form of dwelling located on lochs through much of Scotland and Ireland. They were built out in the water and were thought to have been used as defensive homesteads, made secure by their isolated positions over water. Their use spanned a considerable period starting about 3,000 BC and continuing as late as the 17 century AD.

There were a number of such dwellings on Loch Tay including one off the village of Fearnan known as the Oakbank Crannog. Underwater Archaeology on Loch Tay, and at this site in particular, revealed details of the timber construction. Parts of the original structure are still preserved by the loch waters together with artefacts such as clothing, food and utensils. The information gained has now been used to construct a new crannog which we will visit in October.