The historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott has been named Flagship of the Year 2025 by National Historic Ships UK, a prestigious accolade recognising excellence in maritime conservation.

Steamship Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland’s most famous maritime heritage icons, has sailed on Loch Katrine since 1900 and this Saturday she begins her 125^th season and is gearing up to carry thousands of passengers on scenic loch cruises in the heart of the National Park.

Hundreds of visitors and locals flocked to Loch Katrine to enjoy special New Year Festive Cruises on the historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott, kicking off her 125th anniversary year celebrations. 

Loch Katrine launches its winter sailing schedule and festive events, including 45-minute Winter Wonderland cruises, special Spirit of Christmas sailings, and the popular Sail with Santa experience. Toast the new year aboard Steamship Sir Walter Scott.

Since it opened to the public two months ago, over 8,000 people have taken the short climb to the dramatic new scenic tower and lookouts on the headland above Trossachs Pier which is credited with being where Scottish Tourism began.

Visitors following the popular Trossachs Trail scenic drive in the heart of the Trossachs are being advised to take care. Beavers are busy chewing their way through tree trunks, felling trees along the roadside and creating temporary and unexpected blockades.

Stephen Leckie, Chair of VisitScotland, has officially opened an impressive three-storey scenic tower and lookouts on the site, which is credited with being the Birthplace of Scottish Tourism in the early 1800s.

Large steel segments and the timber skin of a new scenic tower were airlifted by helicopter and carefully lowered into place on the site credited with being the ‘Birthplace of Scottish Tourism.’

Staff and trustees of Steamship Sir Walter Scott have paid tribute to Managing Director Gordon Allan, who is celebrating a four-decade association with Loch Katrine.

The curtain is being raised on Loch Katrine's main tourist season with the reintroduction of three daily sailings of the 124-year-old Steamship Sir Walter Scott, back for her first complete season in five years. 

The Trust that preserves the iconic 124-year-old Steamship Sir Walter Scott has recently secured a building warrant to start constructing a scenic tower and lookouts.

Over 2,000 visitors and locals celebrated the festive season at Loch Katrine by joining Santa Sailings and New Year Steamship cruises.

New stories reveal the role of Captain John MacKinnon and his family on the early years of the operation of the 123-year-old Steamship Sir Walter Scott.

Following a three-year absence due to cracked boilers, Loch Katrine's historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott, built in 1899, is due to resume sailing this weekend after completing a £750,000 restoration project.

Work is underway at Loch Katrine to install a 188-metre path to the landmark Rhoderick Dhu viewpoint, where Sir Walter Scott was inspired to write his epic poem Lady of the Lake, published in 1810.

The Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust has secured a £231,000 grant for a stunning landmark lookout tower and two high-quality viewpoints at Loch Katrine.

The restoration of an historic Scottish steamship will not only secure the future of the much loved vessel it could also mark a turning point in delivering cleaner, more sustainable steam power.

After two challenging years there is some optimism at Loch Katrine about a strong recovery in the UK and overseas tourist markets during the season ahead.

The S.O.S., Save our Steamship public funding appeal, has entered a crucial phase with a final push to raise the outstanding funds required to restore the historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott.

Steamship Sir Walter Scott Trust is spearheading an initiative which will result in over £1 million being invested in visitor infrastructure improvements at Loch Katrine and in the wider Trossachs area.