Maid of the Loch preservationist awarded MBE

PRESERVATIONIST HONOURED WITH M.B.E.

John M Beveridge

Responding to the award of the MBE for services to paddle steamer preservation and to charity, John said, “What an unexpected and fantastic surprise, and I am obviously delighted that my aim of restoring the Maid of the Loch to steam operation on Loch Lomond and in helping the Waverley has received such recognition”.

John has spent over 30 years saving and restoring the paddle steamer Maid of the Loch on Loch Lomond. He helped establish the charity the Loch Lomond Steamship Company in 1996 of which he was a director and then chair until stepping down in 2021.

John is proud to say, “We did save the Maid from sinking at the pier and have turned her from a vandalised wreck into a visitor attraction with her engines in steam and paddles turning, but is only part of the story”, he explained. “We had to rebuild Balloch Pier, rebuild the Grade A listed 1902 winchhouse, rebuild the slipway, and also built a car park”. 

He added, “In my time we raised over £3.6 million, all of which was re-invested in the ship and infrastructure, has given employment to many people, and enjoyment to thousands of visitors”.

Mr Beveridge paid tribute to all the volunteers, individuals, and companies  who have helped save the historic steamer. He said, “This award is really for all those willing volunteers over these past 30 years who willingly turned up every weekend to chip, paint, repair, and have the dream of getting the Maid sailing again. I still believe that one day the Maid of the Loch will sail again on Loch Lomond”.

John is now a director of the Waverley paddle steamer which is an iconic ship known throughout Britain. “Waverley has given millions of people enjoyment, from her mighty steam engines to seeing Britain from the Clyde to the Thames - there is nothing else like her”, he enthused.  

Mr Beveridge is also part of a group of people which is working to reopen Helensburgh pier which was closed to the Waverley in 2018.

Source: Press release

Photo: John Beveridge on the bridge of the paddle steamer Waverley with the ship’s captain, Dominic McColl.