(First published Jan 2023, and updated in August 2023)

I am delighted that the grant application to National Lottery Heritage Fund Scotland I helped prepare for Steamship Sir Walter Scott was successful.

The £130,000 allowed work to restore the 123-year-old Sir Walter Scott to get her back plying the waters of Loch Katrine for summer 2023, sailing at the heart of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

Sustainable Future

Restoring the historic Scottish Steamship not only secured the future of the much-loved vessel but provided an eco-turning point by delivering cleaner, more sustainable steam power.

With the substantial sum raised from the public appeal and a series of smaller grant awards from The Hugh Fraser Foundation and Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust, this award allowed the replacement of decking and two cracked boilers on the historic Steamship.

Save our Steamship

We have worked closely with the Steamship Trust over several years, assisting with marketing & PR (read more here). Sadly, due to the need for significant repairs, we had to help put together an SOS - Save our Steamship appeal. Part of the appeal project was creating a dedicated website (pictured above - linked here) to promote the campaign and facilitate public donations.

We are excited to have captured the restoration process through video and photography and created a new exhibition covering the history of steamships on Loch Katrine. Another critical part of the project is improving disabled access and features to the Steamship for when she recommences sailing.

Back Sailing

In May 2023, Steamship Sir Walter Scott resumed passenger sailings, an incredible moment for all the team involved. The ultimate cost of the restoration was £750,000. This was a hugely challenging project, however it is worth all the work to see the successful outcome, with people enjoying sailing on the newly restored Steamer.

Grant Funding

Over the years, I have helped many local businesses and charities secure significant grant funding awards and national PR, such as the Save our Steamship appeal for Loch Katrine. Please get in touch with me if I can help your organisation with a funding application.

About

Based in Loch Lomond, Paul Saunders Marketing works with clients throughout Scotland, providing marketing consultancy and creative digital media for businesses, charities and organisations of all sizes.

Services include marketing, commercial photography, brand design, website design, video production and social media, events & PR. Call Paul on 01360 661029 or get in touch via the contact page to find out more.

I hope you have found this blog helpful! Please get in touch if you would like any advice to help you plan your video marketing.