FOR generations, it offered the best way to take in one of Scotland's most iconic visitor attractions. Now, nearly three decades after the last passenger steamer sailed across Loch Lomond, the service is to return. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority (NPA) will this summer launch a pilot scheme which it hopes will establish once again a full-time passenger ferry on the loch.

The timetabled service, funded by Scottish Enterprise, has been in the planning stage for six months, but The Scotsman can reveal that the first ferry will take to the waters in July. While a final decision has yet to be taken on routes, it is understood the service will sail from Balloch at the south end of the loch, travel up the waters, picking up passengers at the likes of Balmaha and Rowardennan, before heading onwards to Tarbert.