Old Photograph Steamer Gitana Loch Rannoch Perthshire Scotland

Old photograph of the steamer Gitana on Loch Rannoch near Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland. This steam yacht was built in 1881 by Thomas B Seath of Rutherglen. The yacht was intended to run on remote Loch Rannoch. She was built to the order of Major General MacDonald of Dunalistair Estate near Kinloch Rannoch for his own use but also as a public service vessel. Unfortunately, the prospect of increased tourism was not appreciated by other inhabitants around the loch and she was refused a berth at the sheltered western end of the loch. Early in 1882 gales on the loch smashed her saloon windows and allowed the considerable swell to enter the tiny hull. After only seven months on the loch she sank in over 100 feet of water. There she lay for the next 96 years until 1978 when strenuous efforts by a number of sub aqua clubs assisted by the Army managed to raise the hulk to the surface of Loch Rannoch for the first time in almost a century. There were high hopes that she would be restored and may even sail again! Sadly, it was not to be as the weakened hull gave way during efforts to stabilise it and the attempt to restore her had to be abandoned.



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