Model of the SCOT II

Pleased to announce that the start of a model build is now under way and at approx 1/25th scale being made by "ace" model maker Steve we shall have some photographs to record this feat in its entirety as the model progresses. (Keep checking the Leith Shipyards website)

The model is being built to original drawings and will be based on her original steam engine condition (pre-1960's) as she was intended before her conversion to diesel power in the 1960's by the Leith Shipyard of Henry Robb Ltd.
The SCOT II was launched at Leith as Ship No 184 in 1931
The only Leith built ship on the British Historic Register, and it is hoped that the actual vessel will also be restored to her former glory in the fullness of time.

SCOT II ice breaking historical ship

Historic Ship SCOT II

SCOT II Steelwork

Just as an example of what was and what is now with regard to the condition that the old historic ship is now in and just looking at some of the photographs taken at her last survey before the waterways sold her on, would make any old shipbuilder just shake his head while containing the many expletives that would want to burst forth.
Just what the F**k were they thinking!

SCOT II Ship No 184 almost un-recognisable 

Difficult to put into words, what can be said about this conversion attempt circa 2005

It has to be said that her steelwork was still in pretty good condition after some 75 years the majority of the time spent in fresh water. As the photograph below shows taken as part of her last survey in 2005/6

SCOT II Steelwork circa 2005/6

All that changed when she was sold and she ended up sunk in the salt water of Ardyne Point where she sank and was under water  for 10 months just a few years later.

SCOT II Steelwork circa 2010

Her steelwork is still in pretty good condition but for how much longer without the proper care that she needs sooner rather than later.

With any luck she will not have too much longer to wait before some serious work can be carried out on her to begin her proper restoration.

Keep checking the Blog and website for regular updates, and once the work begins for real we shall be following the progress on the website and on the Blog.

Hope yet for a Leith Maritime Museum!

No actual Maritime term used, but at least some progress with the potential use of the old custom house in Leith. Time as ever will tell for more on this story see the link below from the Edinburgh Evening News.

http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/leith-museum-plans-take-giant-step-forward-1-3730575

SCOT II Photo's March 2015

This is going to be one hell of a restoration project and we look for help worldwide.

Can we do it (to quote someone else! YES WE CAN!
All help and enquiries most welcome, soon there will be a website where you can join the friends of the Save the SCOT II Society.

Restoration of the SCOT II



The icebreaker tug SCOTT II, or what is left of her.

Happy to be able to tell you all that it now looks like Ship No 184 SCOT II built in the Henry Robb Leith Shipyards in 1931 and rusting away for a number of years in the West of Scotland, is now on the way to being restored to her former glory.

This is going to be a long project, and we shall bring you updates on the progress of the restoration as and when.

SCOT II begins her journey back home last week.
 

So for now just consider what she looks like as a rusty hull and look at what she will be restored as an icebreaker tug.

She is now tied up at the quayside on the Caledonian Canal after her tow north from the Isle of Bute. SCOT II was a very well known sight on the canal for many years.

 The SCOT II as she was cruising the waters of the Caledonian Canal.

You will be able to follow her restoration progress on the new website, online soon.

Scot II

Ship No 184


A single screw tug ordered by the Ministry of Transport,
but eventually handed over to British Waterways Board.
She had a lengh overall of 75 feet and a beam of 15 feet.
In 1960 her 2 cyclinder steam engine was replaced with a Kelvin Diesel.
From 1960 to 1991 she did summer passenger cruises on Loch Ness from the Muirtown Basin at Inverness.
In winter she was used for general duties in the canal.
In 1992 she became a floating pub at Laggan (on the canal) and in 2001 conversion works started, these were suspended and she was sold to a Doncaster owner in 2005 and towed from Inverness to the old Macalpine yard at Ardyne Point.

In April of 2006 she was reported as being sunk.

The sad end of Ship No 184.

Perhaps someone will find the cash to bring her back to her former glory, although dont know where they would find the riveters nowadays.