A DISPLAY of model ships created by a local man who won gold for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games has taken centre stage at the Maid of the Loch paddle steamer.

Lachie Stewart’s collection, meticulously assembled over the last 60 years, ranges from elegant paddle steamers to humble Clyde puffers and is a real visual treat for visitors to the ship during the summer.

Born in the Vale in 1943, Lachie is – or was, until now – best known for winning gold in the 10,000 metres race at the 1970 Games in Edinburgh, where he beat Australia’s Ron Clarke to the top step on the podium.

Now, the Maid of the Loch will be running the new exhibition Chariots of Steam

Lachie told the Advertiser: “When I was at school at the Vale of Leven Academy I used to go the swimming baths with my friends on a Saturday morning. After that I would head over to Woolworths to buy my roasted salted peanuts. I used to look at the plastic model kits then.

“I then got a job as a dental technician and moved to Glasgow and joined a model boat club, which got me started.

“I have been on the Maid of the Loch many a time with my parents, and I used photographs which I took before 1968 to make the model, but I never gave that away until 10 years ago. I eventually gave them the model because I sailed it in front of the steamers.

“It certainly is a real honour to see my model ships on display. It has been lovely chatting to people about my ships and I just hope local people enjoy it as much as I have loved making them.”

The exhibition will run from now until November 6 on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am until 4pm.

For information and to buy tickets visit maidoftheloch.org.