​TS Queen Mary returns to Scotland as charity raises cash to refurbish the historic vessel.

One of Scotland’s most historic ships has returned to its homeland thanks to the hard work of a charity and Robbie Coltrane.

The TS Queen Mary is the last remaining Scottish-built turbine steamer and returned to the Clyde this week restoration more than eight decades after she as launched.

Friends of TS Queen Mary, a charity, raised more than £300,000 in under a year to make the refit possible.

Robbie Coltraine OBE, its patron, said: "I'm just so proud to be involved with this project. My old faither would be proud. I'm so glad to see her return safely. I've been like a wain waiting for Christmas."

The charity will now launch a fundraising appeal to help raise a further £2 million to restore the vessel to its former splendour.

TS Queen Mary was the last steamship ever to be launched from the famous Clyde dockyard in Glasgow, setting sail in 1933. She was listed on the UK’s official historical ships register in 1966 assuring her the status of national treasure.

Captain Calum Bryce, a trustee of the charity, had the honour of mastering the ship as she was finally towed into Greenock.

This is a proud moment for the charity and for the people of Scotland - Iain Sim

He said: "I am absolutely honoured to have been given this opportunity. Considering she hasn't seen the open seas for 35 years, as long as I've been in the industry, she was like a duck to water."

Friends of TS Queen Mary trustee Iain Sim added: "This is a proud moment for the charity and for the people of Scotland.

"We have saved one of Scotland's historic gems from being cast aside in a dockyard on the Thames awaiting a scrapheap.

"Our challenge now is to restore her and transform her into an entertainment venue and educational resource, so that people can continue to enjoy her and learn about Scotland's shipbuilding heritage."