Floating arts and craft centre sets sail again

Christine McKay and dad Malcolm, a joiner, snapped up the barge, which sits on the Forth & Clyde Canal in front of The Stables restaurant in Kirkintilloch, when it went on sale on ebay in 2012.

The boat, an accredited Scottish tourist board visitor attraction, reopened last month providing craft 
activities for all ages, abilities and budgets.

Built on the Clyde river in Glasgow in 1934 by Barclay, Curle. Ferry No.10, as she was known, operated as a passenger ferry for 43 years.

She travelled back and forth from Finnieston to Plantation dock – where the squinty bridge now stands – until she was decommissioned in 1977.

The barge was purchased by the Wands family in 2002 as the Glasgow branch of their Ayr shop, Craft Daft.

New owner Christine said: “The Wands kindly let us keep the name of the firm.

“My dad refurbished the entire boat, people say it looks amazing inside, and I run the arts and crafts activities on board.

“We have had a great response. Most activities for kids and adults are drop-in and the only day we close is a Monday.”

For more information, visit craft-daft-on-a-raft.co.uk